DNAccess

As you probably know, I run a stolen domain name recovery service (@dnaccess). I help companies and individuals get their domain names back when they're stolen from them. I've recovered hundreds of domains over the past few years that I've been doing this. I was made aware of a recent case where a web designer literally stole two domain names from a non-profit organization in Connecticut (I grew up in CT). The non-profit helps veterans and victims of domestic violence furnish their homes. They provide everything from the furniture down to the silverware. If it wasn't for this non-profit, the veterans and victims of domestic violence would be moving into an empty home. The non-profit hired this web designer to redo their website. They've owned the domain names since 2010. During that process, the web designer logged into their domain registrar account and transferred the domain names to themselves, which is actually stealing the domain names (a cybercrime). The web designer is demanding about $5,000 to "get the domain names back". I've personally spoken with the web designer several times on the phone and emailed back and forth. He won't give them back. So, the non-profit has filed a police report about the theft. I've made it my mission to get these domain names back for this non-profit. We're starting a GoFundMe to raise enough money for a legal fund to cover things like UDRP fees and other legal expenses. Any additional funds will go directly to the non-profit. They have a thrift store in Middletown, Connecticut where they accept donations of furniture and household goods, but they also need funds to cover other basic operating expenses such as gas to fill the delivery trucks. Officially we're kicking off the campaign next week. Social media, press/media, a full digital PR campaign is coming, but I could always use some help with it. Not asking for money or social shares, etc. yet. But if you'd like to help with the digital PR side of things, let me know. On the domain name side of things, I'm also looking for some legal help with this, as well.

One of the things I do is help biz and individuals recover their stolen domain names through my service @DNAccess. I've recovered close to 1,000 names at this point after several years. There's a non-profit that approached me a while back. They hired a web designer (he says he also does SEO) to build them a website. The non-profit helps people find housing. Sometime during the website design process, the web designer literally stole their domain names. He logged into their registrar account and transferred the domain names to himself. Now he wants 'more money' to complete the project and give the domain names back. Well, that's not how that works. He committed a cybercrime and is now actively involved in extortion (which is illegal in his State). I talked to the guy on the phone several times. He doesn't think it's a crime or even unethical. The non-profit has filed a police report (I have a copy of that police report). He knows that a police report has been filed. But won't budge. The non-profit can build a site, but all the links, referrals, etc. are going to the domain & site he's holding hostage. We could file a UDRP and would most likely win. They had a site and have been doing biz on that name for over 10+ years. I'm not vindictive, but this guy is screwing with a really good non-profit that does good (needed) work. What should I do?