Boardgamesafarizone.com is a fraudulent website masquerading as a legitimate retailer of board and tabletop games. This scam site illegitimately uses the logo, images, and texts of the well-known Game Nerdz store to deceive consumers into believing they are shopping on a legitimate website. The domain name “Board Game Safari Zone” is misleading, designed to attract fans of board games with the promise of significant discounts and a wide selection of over 5000+ games.
The website is built on a template that has been linked to other scam operations, indicating a pattern of fraudulent activity. Its Facebook ads, which boast an “Annual Trading Card Collection Clearance Blowout” and claim up to 80% off in a “store closing sale”, use fake photos and videos. These ads deliberately omit brand names, instead using images of well-known products to lure buyers with the allure of unfeasibly low prices.
Further investigation into the site’s contact details reveals an email address (infomail@clientreplycenter.com) that has been linked to other scam websites. Additionally, the absence of any phone, social media contacts, company information, or physical address further signals the site’s lack of legitimacy.
The domain was only created on February 21, 2024, with the registration and technical information being deliberately hidden or removed, adding to the red flags surrounding this site. This article will delve into the specifics of the Boardgamesafarizone.com scam, highlight the warning signs to look for, and provide crucial advice on how to protect oneself from falling victim to this and similar online scams.
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🚨 Is Boardgamesafarizone.com a Scam? Beware!
Yes, Boardgamesafarizone.com is a scam, and we have several signs to prove it. Below, we’ll list these clear indicators to help you stay safe. Understanding these signs is crucial for protecting your personal and financial information.
🚩 Misleading Domain Name (BoardGameSafariZone.com)
The domain name BoardGameSafariZone.com may be intentionally deceptive, leading customers to believe they are visiting a legitimate site related to board games. Scam stores often use such misleading names to attract unsuspecting buyers.
🎭 Unauthorized Use of Brands (Game Nerdz)
The store utilizes the Game Nerdz logo, images, and texts without authorization, indicating a lack of authenticity and potentially fraudulent practices. Such unauthorized use of well-known brands is a common tactic employed by scam websites.
🖥️ Template-Linked Setup
The website’s design appears templated and connected to other known scams, suggesting a lack of originality and credibility. Scammers often use generic templates to quickly create fraudulent online stores to deceive customers.
📸 Fake Photos in Ads
The ads on social media contain fake photos or videos, aiming to mislead customers with false representations of products or discounts. Scam stores frequently resort to using deceptive visuals to lure unsuspecting shoppers.
❌ Lack of Contact Information
The absence of essential contact details, such as a phone number, social media links, company information, or a physical address, raises suspicions regarding the legitimacy of the store. Genuine businesses typically provide transparent contact information to build trust with customers.
💰 Misleading Discount Promotions
The Facebook ads feature misleadingly low prices and a sense of urgency with claims of a “STORE CLOSING SALE” and discounts of up to 80%. Scammers often use such tactics to create artificial pressure on buyers and push them into making hasty purchases.
🔒 Hidden Registrant Information
The whois data reveals hidden or removed registrant information, indicating a lack of transparency and accountability on the part of the website owner. This lack of identifiable details raises concerns about the legitimacy of the store.
⏳ Suspicious Registration Dates
The creation date of the domain in the future (2024-02-21) raises suspicions as it suggests a pre-planned setup to deceive customers. Scam websites sometimes use future dates to create a false sense of credibility and longevity.
🕵️♂️ Lack of Social Media Presence
The absence of social media links or accounts associated with the store further questions its credibility. Genuine businesses often maintain active social media profiles to engage with customers, whereas scam stores tend to avoid such transparency.
Summary Table: Boardgamesafarizone.com Review
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Website Name | Boardgamesafarizone.com (fake ‘Game Nerdz’ website) |
| Scam Signs |
– Uses Game Nerdz logo, images, texts – Uses a template linked to other scams – Uses a misleading domain name ‘Board Game Safari Zone’ – Template-like Facebook ads – Ads contain fake photos or videos – Scam ads omit brand names but use photos of well-known products to attract buyers with misleading low prices |
| Scam Ads | 1. “Gamenerdzonlinestore 📢 Annual Trading Card Collection Clearance Blowout! 😉 I’ve been in the industry myself for over twenty years and I’ve never had anyone fail to buy the Card Collections they wanted from me. Feel free to ask me if you can’t find it in the store. STORE CLOSING SALE 80 OFF EVERYTHING MUST GO! BOARDGAMESAFARIZONE.COM Up to 5000+ games for sale Your favorite board and tabletop games are available from Games Crazy Deals” |
| Contacts |
Email: infomail@clientreplycenter.com Linked to other scams No phone, social media, company, address provided |
| Whois |
Domain Name: BOARDGAMESAFARIZONE.COM Registrant Information: none [HIDDEN or REMOVED] Creation Date: 2024-02-21 Registry Expiry Date: 2025-02-21 Technical Information: Name Server: NS1.DNS-PARKING.COM Registrar Details: Registrar: Realtime Register B.V. |
What to Do If Scammed 🚨
If you get scammed while shopping online, it’s important to act fast. Here’s what you can do:
🛑 Stop Further Transactions
The first step is to halt any additional transactions that might be in process. Contact your bank or credit card provider and inform them that you’ve fallen victim to a scam. They can help by blocking the card or reversing any unauthorized transactions.
📞 Report the Fraud
File a report with your local police and provide all the available evidence, such as screenshots, emails, and website URLs. Additionally, report the scam to online portals like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) at www.bbb.org or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you’re in another country, reach out to your national consumer protection agency.
💻 Take Screenshots
Before the scam website gets taken down or changes, make sure to capture screenshots of your transactions and communications. These can serve as evidence if you decide to pursue legal action.
⚖️ Consult Legal Advice
Speak to a legal advisor about your situation. While pursuing legal action may be time-consuming and costly, it could be a possible avenue for recovering your lost money.
📢 Share Your Experience
Use social media platforms to share your experience and warn others about the scam. Your story could prevent someone else from falling victim to the same or similar scams.
🚫 Conclusion: Don’t Get Tricked!
In essence, Boardgamesafarizone.com is a scam. It masquerades as the legitimate ‘Game Nerdz’ website, utilizing stolen logos, images, and texts to deceive unsuspecting consumers. This deceptive tactic is further compounded by their utilization of a template linked to other fraudulent schemes. Their Facebook ads follow a cookie-cutter template, featuring fake photos or videos and omitting brand names while showcasing well-known products at misleadingly low prices. These ads are designed to lure in potential buyers with promises of massive discounts during a purported store closing sale.
The use of the misleading domain name ‘Board Game Safari Zone’ adds another layer of deception, creating a false impression of legitimacy. However, behind this facade lies a scheme aimed at swindling individuals out of their hard-earned money.
Bottom Line: Steer clear of Boardgamesafarizone.com and any websites that exhibit similar deceptive tactics. Protect yourself by avoiding deals that seem too good to be true. 🛡️💳
Remaining vigilant and cautious can spare you from falling victim to such fraudulent schemes. If something appears suspicious or too good to be true, trust your instincts and proceed with caution. 🤔
