Here is a good example of an unsolicited email that I believe to be decidedly suspicious.  Maybe using the words "spam" or "scam" would be inappropriate, but see what you think:

Dear President

We are <company name deleted, on the off-chance they didn't initiate this email>, an Service organization of Internet in China.
On June 07, 2010, we formally received an application from QingMan Investment Co., Ltd. they applied to register the
internet brand ( celerity ) and some in China and Asia's domain name.
 
During our preliminary investigation, we found that these domain names' brand is fully identical with your trademark.
Therefore, we need to confirm with you, whether you consigned QingMan Investment Co., Ltd. to register these
domain names with us or not? Or, is QingMan Investment Co., Ltd. your business partner or distributor?  
If you have no relationship with this company, we assume that they have other purposes to obtain these domain names.  
 
Currently, we have already suspended this company's application temporarily due to the seriousness of this isuue.
In order to avoid the vicious domain name grabbing,  please let the relevant person make a confirmation with me via
email as soon as possible. Thank you for your support to our work!
 
Best Regards!

Amy Hu

Registration Department Manager

<company name deleted>

Tel:+852 3077 4292

Fax:+852 8193 2728
 
Email:amy@<company name deleted>
Internet:www.<company name deleted>.com

Now, let's take a few moments to consider this mail.  On the surface it seems like the company is doing us a rather honourable service, potentially turning away one of their own new clients in case they infringe on our trademarks.

But the language used is rather odd. Accusing their client of "vicious name grabbing" seems a bit emotive to say the least.  And why should they care that someone wants to register a Chinese domain that has my company name? That's not illegal, as I certainly haven't applied for any International trademarks.

I suspect what this mail is designed to do is worry companies that they are going to have a Chinese domain name competing with their own brand. Many people will no doubt reply to assure "Amy" that they have no connection to "QingMan Investment co" and please don't let them register our company name!  To which they will no doubt receive a reassuring email offering them their pick of Chinese domain names at a "discounted" rate.

Here are a few links to people who share my cynical nature:

http://www.flemo.org/2010/05/21/annie-ling-has-a-thing-for-me/
http://www.kenkai.com/seo-blog-article-142.htm
http://www.kevinham.ws/2010/03/chinese-domain-name-fraud-continues.html

By the way, I've published this email so that people who research the wording of it in future can be reassured that it is indeed a bulk email and almost certainly should be deleted without responding.

Mark Wibberley
Posts: 8

I got one too !
Reply #8 on : Thu June 17, 2010, 12:19:44

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Out of interest I returned it, got the frighteners from them, but won't be continuing corresponding with them. One can have too many domain names !

Norm Gionette
Posts: 8

Recieved one as well
Reply #7 on : Mon June 21, 2010, 15:35:12

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I recieved the same email as well. I also have been watching my firewall traffic and found lots of hits from China as well. I have security measures in place, and firewalls as well. Make sure all your firewall updates are up to date and all security measures as well.

Ian Lawry
Posts: 8

Suspicious E.mail from Hong Kong
Reply #6 on : Wed June 23, 2010, 07:21:59

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I found the following resulted in NO FURTHER correspondence from 'AMY'

Hello Amy

I have now taken advice from my International Lawyers and I am satisfied that I will not be taking these names.

We are protected under International Copyright Laws and ANY attempt to deliberately confuse the market (as you have already stated) or any attempt to use our website to gain business WILL be dealt with under International Law SWIFTLY.

Please inform the Company of this warning.

Mark Andrew
Posts: 8

Suspicious Email From Hong Kong
Reply #5 on : Wed June 23, 2010, 07:51:58

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I got one too, and then got this:-


Dear Mark,

We understand that a new situation, Their company sells the product and your company are the same, Based on the former such cases, to large extent,
they want to promote their products on internet taking use of your web site. Their registration intends to cause confusion on web site,
and also take serious effect to your business.

Because your company is this trademark owner, therefore we essential solicit your company's suggestions. Please let me know your decision of these domain name,
you want to register or give it up.
If you need register, i will send you an application form.

Cheeky f*ckers!!

Julie Cano
Posts: 8

Message from Amy Hu
Reply #4 on : Wed June 23, 2010, 17:47:25

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Several people within our company received this same exact message.

Jennifer Fitzgerald
Posts: 8

Re: Suspicious email from Hong Kong
Reply #3 on : Mon June 28, 2010, 14:22:55

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I have also received this mail and suspected it was fraudulent from its language. Thanks for posting this so I found it very easily.

Mysterious Stranger
Posts: 8

Re: Suspicious email from Hong Kong
Reply #2 on : Tue June 29, 2010, 14:48:55

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Seems like they are trying to extort payment for registrations from unsuspecting naive businesses.

John Bishop
Posts: 8

Message from Amy Hu
Reply #1 on : Tue August 03, 2010, 13:50:28

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I am pleased to have found this blog as I too had received the initial email from Amy.

I asked them to confirm what the purpose of the company in question was and in a further email asked them to inform me of all of the domains that their client had requested purchase of.

The final email that I sent to Amy and since then have had no correspondance was as follows:

Having looked at the domain names below, we will not be considering purchase of the domains for the purpose of protecting our trademark, as we deal solely with the UK and believe prospective clients will be aware of the difference in location determined by the high level naming convention.

Please accept this email as confirmation that we have no interest in the domain names shown below and that you are now in a position to make them available to QingMan Investment Co., Ltd.

I guess polite and direct but it did the job.

My last question would be:
Amy Hu Are You?

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