Re: [afnog] Suspicious request for IP address space

[Phil Regnauld <regnauld () nsrc org>]

        (Cross posting to nanog, apologies if this is considered not appropriate).

Shepherd Magumo (shepherd) writes:
> Good day,
>
> I work for an ISP with own small AfriNIC IP block and ASN number and
> recently received a second suspicious request for a huge IP address space
> with server hosting solution and we are about to turn it down.
>
> Below is the exact request and I am sure there is something dodge about this
> request. Anybody else in ISP receive this?
>
> We are looking for an IP address space of /17 and we would like to lease it
> > for one complete year. Please quote us the price and if its something in
> > our
> > range, We will go ahead and purchase, Along with it do you provide
> > dedicated
> > servers and hosting services. Get back to me soon along with the requested
> > details.

        Hi Shepherd,

        Without disclosing the sender of this mail, do you know where it's
        originating from, region wise ?  The size looks a bit large to be a
        legitimate request.  They might be probing the market to find a LIR
        willing to go along with a scam.

        As I see it, if you consider the ratio of available IPv4 space left in
        the AfriNIC pool vs. the population in Africa, there is a temptation
        for IPv4 hungry orgs. to acquire v4 space via front companies in Africa,
        and announce it elsewhere - where the validation process for the
        appropriate RIR would be more stringent.

        Cheers,
        Phil