The domain name BD.net was recently sold on a Sedo auction, and several domain investors bid on it.
Ending at $29,500 dollars, BD.net is the top dot .net sale of the year so far, according to DNJournal.
There is a small problem, however: BD.net has been declared a stolen asset, by its registrant of several years.
Sajed Chowdhury acquired BD.net in 2001, and has owned the domain continually since.
In early May or perhaps earlier, someone accessed his account at Register.com and changed the domain’s email to stevesme@yandex.com.
Yandex is a popular Russian search engine and it’s almost certain the domain thief is from Russia. The current registrant is in China, presumably unaware of the domain’s status.
If you are approached to acquire BD.net keep in mind that it is currently a stolen domain asset, and its legitimate owner is in the process of reclaiming it.
Domain investors are thus cautioned to be extra vigilant when domains change ownership quickly and to always verify ownership of a domain.
Isn’t it a good idea to have a section in your blog named, for example, “Hall of Stolen Domains” so that it can be a must-read/focal point for anyone wishing to trade a domain name ? I think it is only good for stolen domain owners, domain buyers and your blog.
Domain Observer – I do my best to raise awareness once such domain thefts are reported and documented.
You can select the “Domain Crime” category from the drop down menu up top, most domain thefts are being transitioned to that section.
Yes, I very much appreciate your fine efforts for increasing people’s awareness. In view of the rampantly increasing domain thefts and people’s worries nowadays, more visible and highlighted section solely devoted to stolen domains may be needed in my humble opinion. Thanks.
I saw another name in sedo auction have the same email stevesme@yandex.com, I think it was imx.com
Anon – Not according to what I found, it was a different yandex.com email.