Short version: DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION. THEY ARE MAJOR PHISHERS FOR PERSONAL INFORMATION, AND THEY ARE SUPPOSEDLY BASED IN HONG KONG AND MALAYSIA, AWAY FROM MOST JURISDICTIONS.

Now, for the long version:
I shopped around online to find a merchant selling a legal CD-key for Guild Wars: Nightfall. What I mean by legal is just that: since Guild Wars is a downloadable game directly from NCSoft, a merchant can purchase cd-keys in bulk from NCSoft during a sale period and sell these at a profit when the sale is over. Basically, I was looking for a reseller that sold below NCSoft's current price.

Offgamers offered the lowest price I could find on the 'net, and their website said that once I paid, I would be able to see the purchased CD-key in the "My Accounts" section. I used Paypal instead of directly giving my credit card information to them, and the payment went through. I received e-mail confirmation from Paypal. Next, I was led to a webpage that displayed my phone number where I could allow Offgamers to call me to verify that my given phone number was correct. I clicked and waited for the call. However, instead of the phone call, I received an email telling me that they needed additional verification. You won't believe what they wanted from me:

(1) a SIGNED purchase authorization form allowing them to take my money from Paypal (which they already did!!)
(2) valid photo identification (which has not expired) revealing my name and address that matches the billing address of my PayPal information, and
(3) utility bill that matches my billing information.

They wanted scanned copies of these.

I immediately demanded a refund, and after playing stupid a little, they did promptly refund my money. So basically, these guys will not scam you up front -- they just gain the ability to hack your account at a later date, when it's less obvious.

For you younger gamers that aren't familiar enough with the dangers of giving out those 3 documents to strangers, let me tell you that the combination can let them impersonate you SUCCESSFULLY to basically ANY online company. That includes the game companies that you have your account on. They can hack your account using the game company's support by IMPERSONATING YOU COMPLETELY. They can change your passwords. They can transfer all your game money and items to their own and sell everything. And they can do a LOT more.

Here is the email I received a few minutes after paying them through Paypal:
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Dear xxx xxxx,

Order Number: 2999871
Order Date: Friday, 15 April, 2011
Detailed Invoice: http://www.offgamers.com/account_history_info.php?order_id=2999871

Status: Verifying

Comment:
Thank you for shopping at OffGamers for all your gaming needs. For verification purposes, we require for you to upload your scanned images here.

1. Purchase authorization form. (below)
2. Valid photo identification (which has not expired) revealing your name and address that matches the billing address of your PayPal information.
3. Utility bill that matches your billing information.

These additional payment information are needed for us to proceed with the order. Please kindly print this form, complete, and sign it. Your order will be processed as soon as we receive the forms.

OffGamers Limited - PayPal Authorization Form
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1. PayPal E-mail: _______________________________________

2. Name as appeared on PayPal: _________________________________

3. Billing Address as registered with PayPal:

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

4. I authorize OffGamers Limited to charge US $10.99 to the PayPal account listed above.

5. I write to confirm that I recognize:

PayPal transaction ID 5JC41585PL278830D for US $10.99 dated 2011-04-15 payable to OffGamers Limited.

I authorize this payment to be debited from my card account or PayPal account.


PayPal or Card-holder’s signature: (Must be in handwriting)


____________________________________________________


Date: _______________________________________________

Thank you for your cooperation & your business.
OffGamers Limited
Room 813, Hollywood Plaza,
610 Nathan Road,
Hong Kong.

For any enquiries or assistance, you may use our Online Live Support service or e-mail your enquiries to [email protected]. Please remember to include your Order Number when contacting us to expedite the process. Thanks again for shopping at OffGamers.


Best Regards,
OffGamers Team.

***************************************************************
OffGamers - Your Gaming Alliance
24/7 Live Support & Instant Delivery
***************************************************************
Online Live Support: http://www.offgamers.com/customer_support.php
E-mail: [email protected]
USA (Delaware): (302) 565-4955
United Kingdom (London): (020) 8816-8318
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