Trying to find who is hosting a fraudulent website
Trying to find who is hosting a fraudulent website
Author
Discussion

Mikebentley

Original Poster:

8,649 posts

170 months

Thursday 26th January 2023
quotequote all
Firstly please accept my apologies as I am a complete Luddite.

Today I was made aware that a company had listed my name and details on its website as being an employee using my legitimate details to legitimise their scam business.
The company is absolutely operating a scam and is defrauding members of the public.

I have reported it to the Action Fraud hotline and the Police. My trade body and the company I work for have also reported it.

My question to the PH mind hive is.
How can I identify who is hosting the website to get it shutdown asap so my reputation suffers the minimal damage due to the association?

deggles

723 posts

232 months

Thursday 26th January 2023
quotequote all
It may be quite difficult. Starting point would be looking up the domain records for the website using WHOIS, e.g. https://whois.domaintools.com/

Might give you their hosting company details at least

selwonk

2,143 posts

255 months

Thursday 26th January 2023
quotequote all
You can start with a WHOIS but its very easy to opt out of revealing registrant details as demonstrated below:

https://who.is/whois/pistonheads.com

You could then try this site:

https://hostingchecker.com/

A decent ISP will have a fraud team. It might be that it could be covered under the reasons allowed to serve a take down notice:

https://www.mmmlaw.com/media/elements-of-a-dmca-ta...

...but if its hosted outside of the UK then you might be out of luck.

Mikebentley

Original Poster:

8,649 posts

170 months

Thursday 26th January 2023
quotequote all
Thanks all

eeLee

1,009 posts

110 months

Friday 27th January 2023
quotequote all
your best and quickest option is likely to suggest they are infringing on copyright. This usually will get a provider to take down the site.

the bigger question is whether the entity leasing the service is the one putting up the site.....they may be victims too.

Mr Pointy

13,406 posts

189 months

Friday 27th January 2023
quotequote all
Post the site on here & someone will do a bit of sleuthing.

buggalugs

9,285 posts

267 months

Friday 27th January 2023
quotequote all
Mr Pointy said:
Post the site on here & someone will do a bit of sleuthing.
This

Mikebentley

Original Poster:

8,649 posts

170 months

Friday 27th January 2023
quotequote all
It’s under investigation by the MOJ now so better not risk spoiling any outcomes. It was being hosted somewhere in Eastern Europe. They were using fake details even registered the business at an accountant in the UK who knew nothing about it till today.