Ask HN: I fell victim to a scam, how can I shut these sites down?

7 points by kashnikov2 4y ago ↗ HN

I fell victim to a scam involving a fake forex broker. Since then I've identified many sites they run. It appears their main backend server is hosted in China, I tried reporting to the abuse contact listed on arin and they didn't take action. Neither did the domain registrars involved. In addition, I traced my btc to the exchange huobi and haven't gotten a single response out of them.

What other steps can I take?

5 comments

[ 3.2 ms ] story [ 22.1 ms ] thread

missedthecue 4y ago ↗

Try contacting the media that reports that space. They won't be able to shut them down, but could ruin their credibly with bad PR. I don't think you'll have much luck in the Chinese court system.

Additionally you can contact their payment gateway provider.

helph67 4y ago ↗

You may be able at least to report their faking the IP? This Ecosia search should display many choices... https://www.ecosia.org/search?q=report+ip+address+abuse

schiederme 4y ago ↗

The FBI is accepting tips on such stuff. Even if you are not a US citizen. With enough data (domains, IPs etc.) they could do that job pretty fast.

danieka 4y ago ↗

For some reason I've ended up an a list of phone numbers that bitcoin and forex scammers call. I get a couple of calls each year. I'm a European citizen so my usual procedure, if I can be bothered, is this:

1. Thank them for calling me and figure out what website they're trying to get me to sign up to.

2. Ask to speak to their data protection officer and try to make a data subject access request. They will try to end the call here but I try to keep them on the line as long as possible. After about ten minutes they usually just hang up mid sentence.

3. Email the info/help/service at their website and make a data subject access request. Point out that they are handling my data without legal basis and I will be making a legal claim against them in Swedish court.

4. They will reply they have 20 000 lawyers on retainer and devote 75 million USD each year to legal fees.

5. Keep it up and let them know you will be filing a claim against them.

6. They stop responding and close down the website.

If every single person that they call made a stink about it their business model would stop working overnight.

Edit: I realised now that I didn't really answer your question. I really hate these scammers so had to get this off my chest. I don't know what to do in your specific situation. Sorry.

edimaudo 4y ago ↗

Sorry to hear that. - It is definitely tough out there but I think getting in touch with law enforcement should be the first thing

- You can also share posts on social media about it to warn others of it