How does a Puppy Scam Work?
Puppy Scams are online scams run by organized criminals. This scam is being run at an industrial level with some criminal groups creating 100s of websites to convince consumers to part with their money. Commonly called a “Puppy Scam”, this scam can use kittens, horses, tortoises or any other pets as bait.
The scam normally works in three parts:
1 The Hook
The hook is simple. The scammer will offer pets for sale or adoption. These scammers will create a custom website and advertize on Facebook, CraigsList, TradingPost and any other classified ad websites.
They will interact with you by mail, SMS or phone to convince you that they have a pet to sell or give away.
The aim here is to get the intended victim emotionally invested in a fictitious pet. When people act on emotion they are easier to scam.
A scammer can target 50 people at a time. They use a series of “canned” responses which they copy and paste when replying to you. The emails are long and verbose asking questions and answering questions you have not asked. If you ask a question that is not in their script they give a short curt answer.
If the “pet” is being sold and not offered for adoption the scammer will con their victims into giving hundreds of dollars in the first part of the scam
2. The Sting
This is where the majority of money is stolen.
You are now emotionally invested in the pet. If the pet was sold (not for adoption) you are also financially invested as well.
The scammer will create a Pet Delivery Website so that you can track the delivery of your new pet.
You will be given a “tracking number” which will direct you to a webpage created and controlled by the scammer. This webpage will show you that your pet is being delivered.
A day later you will receive an email that the delivery is delayed as you must pay fees. The scammer will update the webpage created for you in order to convince you that the fees are legitimate. Fees can include:
- Delivery fees
- Cage fees
- Ventilated cage fees
- Vaccines
- All of the above
There is no limit to the amount or variation of fees. If you pay one, they demand another and another until you cannot afford to pay more or you realise it is a scam.
As you are emotionally invested in the pet you are expecting to receive the scammers will take full advantage of this and blame you for cruelty because you are delaying the delivery.
The loss to the victim is now in the thousands.
3. The Threat
Once you refuse to pay anymore money to the scammer they will threaten you. Once of the most common threats is “Animal Abandonment”. Again this is part of the scam. Animal abandonment is a crime and rightly so but in this scenario, even if it were true, animal abandonment laws would not apply. You can see more on animal abandonment here:
http://audubonportland.org/wcc/urban/abandonment?referer=petscams.com
Puppy Scammers can go as far as to create a website that looks like a law enforcement website. If they think they can frighten you into paying more money they will continue to phone, email and text.
Why does the Puppy Scam Work?
Pet scams are not new. They have been around since online scams began. In the past couple of years they have become more of an issue. The Better Business Bureau states in their report (see here) that an unusually high number of those targeted in the schemes are in their late teens or 20s.
This could be down to several things. Firstly, online shopping is now the norm. You can buy anything online now and this has been embraced by a younger generation.
Secondly, this scam was not as widespread in the past. Criminal gangs are now using this method to scam consumers on an industrial scale.
Lastly, your emotions are scammed first. The scammer will use the cutest pictures they can find on the internet to make you fall in love with a pet they do not possess. In this way it is like the typical “Love Scam”
Education here is the key.
The majority of internet users would now ignore a standard scam by a “Nigerian Prince asking for help to move a vast inheritance”, if you could just pay the barrister fees.
Most people would not fall for the classic “Lottery Scam” as almost everyone now knows that technique.
The techniques these criminals use are still relatively unknown and until they receive more coverage these scammers will continue to scam consumers.
I just got scammed out of $500 from
White Poodles Santa Fe New Mexico
Frankline
The weekend he was supposed to send They male poodle he went as far as to say his dad passed away and he can do it that weekend then I never could reach him by text or phone after that .
Cathy Maltese is a big scam I sent her 500 dollar for a Maltipoo next day got a call saying they needed 800 more dollars because vet said it need a ac crate and insurance which I would get back that never happen I was diagnosed with cancer last year on my liver which means I need MRI ever three months my best four legged buddy died all as I went to do is get a new buddy to make me feel better when i am depressed but Cathy Butler her so called name took that dream from me so no one go to Cathy Maltese she is a theft and steal pic off everyone web site she says she is from Chicago
We were so excited to find a pug puppy for such a reasonable price. But then I started noticing dozens of other websites – with every single puppy priced at $500 – INCLUDING shipping, when they sell for upwards of $3000 in our area. And payment requested using a “gift card”?? SO many signs of typical online scams! And belovedpugpuppies.wixsite.com is still live – how can that be?? Fortunately my natural skepticism saved me from my excitement (and my self)
Thank you! I was just about to purchase from Dynasty Chihuahuas when I came across your site. Could have been out $500., but I’m not. Thanks, again.
Has anyone heard of “Poodle Puppies For Sale” on FB? They’re requesting $550 for shipping from Michigan of a red female toy poodle named Lucy that I saw on their page. However as I scrolled thru their page, there was a picture of her again, only this time she was listed as a male toy poodle. When I questioned the photos, I was told that it was a mistake and that she was available however, there was someone else interested and I had to make a decision. I believe there’s something fishy going on so I’ve ceased all contact. Wdyt? Scam?
I would say that it is just a typical scam. The aim is to get you to pay for shipping however the shipping website is fake (see scam shipping websites here)
If the shipping website is listed here then you can feel confident it is a scam.
If it is not listed here then we will list it as we are already confident that it is a scam.
Canned Responses from breeder in NJ:
Ok great. we are located in New Jersey and we offer free delivery within the United States. We offer free delivery because we currently have a coupon from our delivery agency to ship up to three puppies for free. so if you are buying from us today, we will be able to ship to you for free. We also offer two methods of delivery, home delivery and airport pick up. So which methods would you prefer ?
thank you once again and have a wonderful time
https://netadachshunds.com/available-puppies
Had to put my own poodle to sleep two weeks ago. Fell in love with one at: https://activeteacuppoodles.com/ . NO shipping charges – they had “coupons” – puppies were $500 which , stupidly I paid. Poodle was to be shipped the next day. The guy I was talking to said he got to the airport and was informed that because the weather was so bad and puppy was so little, a “special” crate was needed. The crate was $1200, but was refundable by the person delivering the puppy. Well, I had already been similarly scammed (dumb me), so the site still has my $500 and I have no puppy. This guy had all the answers on his site — answers to shipping, accolades from customers, etc. They are a scam site, right?
We have a warning here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/activeteacuppoodles-com/
Have you ever heard of cocodachshundpups.com? They are located in New Jersey. They want me to western union them money for a dog and they say they will put him on a flight. I asked if I can go pick the dog up in Jersey myself and they say it’s easiest to fly him. I don’t want to get scammed.
cocodachshundpups.com does not seem to exist. I do not think the domain has been registered.
I strongly suspect that you are being scammed. This is because of the “Western Union for Flight payment” issue.
I also found the email address “cocodachshundpups@gmail.com” has been used to register a domain warned here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/treasuresphynxhome-com/
Ask the scammer (and I am sure it is a scammer) to send you a video of the puppy with your phone number and email written on a piece of paper next to the puppy.
This is really easy for a breeder to do. Simple.
It is impossible for a scammer.
I am pretty sure I have been scammed. What do you know about Dynastychihuahuas@outlook.com? Supposed to be in Jacksonville NC and a guy named Shane Fenwic. Guess that’s $500 down the drain and I have learned a very important lesson!
Hi Channing, you are correct. We have a warning here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/dynastychihuahuas-com/
The domain is only 10 days old. We reported it yesterday.
Paul, I think I was just scammed out of $500.00 . I put money down on a English bulldog puppy for $800.00. I did my home work and check them out and they came back clean. I have been talking to this guy Stanley on the phone and emails. He wanted me to send the money through Zelly but I was not comfortable with that because I have never heard of it .I asked him if there was another way he said Amzion gift card so I felt safe doing it that way. Now I can’t find the site. breederhome.com or breederhome@gmail.com. I’m so pissed off right now that he did this to me. It is 5am and I can’t sleep thinking there are people out there that can do take peoples hard yearn money and get away with this.
Firstly, go to sleep. People make bad decisions when they are tired.
It is a scam. It is a very new domain which is advertising on Google search.
The reason your research did not return anything negative is because the domain is so new there are no positive or negative results.
Has anyone looked into https://spunkybulldogs.com/
Are they legit or a scam?
Its a scam Rob. We published 14 hours ago.
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/spunkybulldogs-com/
Paul-Thanks for creating this website to warn others about pet scams such as
BrightHouse Frenchies
Their email: brighthousefrenchies@gmail.com and telephone: (325) 400-4052
I started communicating with them, but had a feeling to check to see if there were any reviews about Brighthouse Frenchies and came to your website. To all those who are considering to buy a puppy online, please do a thorough investigation before giving any money to the websites.
Brighthousefrenchies are still online. They need to be taken down.
Hello Paul, I recently engaged with someone on Facebook to buy a corgi puppy and she directed me to the website
https://skypembrokewelshcorgis.com/
The website showed up as a scam on here, thank you for all that you do. How do you guys verify that a website is a scam?
There are so many scam website out there I’m having a really hard time finding a reputable breeder and I can’t find someone more local. Do you have any suggestion on making sure that the breeder is legit? please help!
It is not very difficult.
Choose your puppy from the photos.
Ask the breeder to write your name/email as well as the breeders email and phone number on a piece of paper.
Ask the breeder to video the puppy WITH the piece of paper in the frame at all times.
There is no reason that a breeder with a puppy cannot do this. There are a hundred reasons that a scammer must refuse.
I cannot tell you what we look for when verifying a scam as scammers frequent this site a lot!
I have spoken to a place called jovialyorkiehome and I’m wondering if this place is a scam. I have not spent any money yet but I don’t want to be scammed out of my money. Thank you for any help.
If the website is https://jovialyorkiehome.wixsite.com/ then it has already been shut down as a scam.
Let us know if they are using a different domain
https://cassybostonterris.com
Site has no details about the owner or location. If you dig enough they claim to be in Florida. Completed thier form and got a lengthy email reply right away, then a text from a Newark New Jersey number in broken English asking if I got their email. Whois information on the domain is locked. They appeared as a Google Ad. The website doesn’t return in any other search engines.
“Cassy Boston Terriers, is a small and very professional home breeder, located in South Florida.”
(201) 554-2032 Nakul Boskind reverse lookup Newark new Jersey
It is a scam. The website was registered 4 days ago and it has not been reported to us yet. We will have a report by morning. Thank you!
Paul-Admin
Hello, I would like to confirm if this website is a scam. https://www.familypoms4us.com/. I lost a lot of money with the sellers here. They partnered with a delivery agency (GoTravel Colorado) to trick me. They charged me $950 for insurance fees, but that wasn’t enough, and they wanted to charge me another $650 for a special crate. Thank God I refused to pay the $650. I am saddened and heartbroken that we cannot receive the refund at all.
Hi Iris,
We have a warning published here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/familypoms4us-com/
Hi, my friend was looking at getting a puppy through the beloved pug puppy site mentioned earlier in the comments and we were also wondering if there was any updates on whether or not it’s a scam. Here’s the link to the website https://belovedpugpuppies.wixsite.com/mysite?msclkid=9a7364dc936c12b20aef39ccb4c2fddf
Hi Melony,
belovedpugpuppies.wixsite.com (beloved pug puppies) is a scam website. We have reported it to Wix and expect it to be shut down as soon as possible.
Is Beloved Pug Puppies a scam? I just paid $500.00 for a pug and now Star Light Pet Delivery wants $750.76 for pet insurance which they say is refundable?????
This is a scam:
https://petscams.com/pet-delivery-agency/starlightpetdelivery-com/
If this is the people you are dealing with then you are being scammed. We do not appear to have a domain for “Beloved Pug Puppies” however these scammers make new websites daily.
Can you tell us the actual domain for “Beloved Pug Puppies”?
Is AussieBreeders.com a scam?
Yes it is Coy, we have a warning here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/aussiebreeders-com/
Hi anyone know anything about Gracious Bichons. I have contacted them and just to be sure I told them to send me a video. I saw that this website was scammers. Is this true? Haven’t done anything yet.
Hi Kathy. All of the websites here have been investigated. We have over 10,000 confirmed scam website reports.
Gracious Bichons is a scam (https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/graciousbichons-com/)
Do not send them money, do not engage with them.
I am more than happy for you to send them a link to the warning on our site.
They have a list of excuses already prepared for you.
Hi every one. My family ALMOST bought a puppy through
https://brandyyorkies.com/available-puppies
And we keep feeling that it’s s scam… does any one know if it is or it’s not?
Thank you
Hi Julia,
Brandy Yorkies is a scam. As you can see from our warning the domain was registered VERY recently.
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/brandyyorkies-com/
I was scammed by Povy Puppies. The guys name was :Mike” and I sent him 3 paments totaling $400.00 thru Zelle. He assured me the puppy was ready for transport. Shotly after I got an e-mail from Eco-transporters wantin $900.00 for the crate and bad weather conditions. They kept changing the delivery time so I spent 2 days waiting for my bundle of joy. Of course she never came. Called Mike back wanting my money back, or the puppy and I would make sure all the law enf. agencies would have a report, and the just might close Petland, Puppy Spot and all the scammers on the web – fhe woul refund the money, nothing would happen. Now he has my PX number blocked. If you need more info, I have a lot. diane james ********@yahoo.com
Admin: Please do not publish your email in public
Hi Diane, can you please publish the domain used for “Povy Puppies”?
Any phone numbers or email addresses would also be useful.
Petland, Puppy Spot are legitimate companies and are not connected with these criminals.
Hello, my name is Joan. Last night I became involved with someone that I thought was legitimate. We were recently bereaved with the death of our 13 yearold cavalier King Charles spaniel and were wanting to replace the hole in our lives. I came upon an advert on line for Cute Cavalier Puppies for you. the gentleman I communicated seemed very nice and told me the reason for giving the pups to a loving home was that he had lost his sister and had a son that had medical problems. Being a very compassionate person myself, I thought the offer was legitimate. we answered all his excellent questions and were so excited only to find emails from this safeway shipping Company. They wanted $700.00 dollars for shipping. again sounding legit. I emailed to ask if they took credit cards and they called back. Their English skills were not good and I began to see Red flags. We consulted with employees at the Bank and they felt as I was suspecting that we were being scammed. We did not send any money , thank God, but were very hurt that people had sunk so low that they would do things like this. The company is called safeway shipping out of Nova Scotia Alberta. We live in Alberta Canada
Hello Paul
My dog just died, so I went to Activepoodlepuppies@gmail.com to find a replacement dog .
we paid for a red toy poodle for $550.00 .They said that my dog will be shipped tomorrow by
Eco Pet Movers and they asked for additional $1200.00 for special crate. this time I felt really
suspicious. bank does not want to refund because the money was already paid thru Zelle and
was paid to Thompson Benjamin. I e-mailed Active poodlepuppies for refund and the respond
was what are your talking about? after they got my money.
Is there away to get my money back? and how to stop this criminals?
I’m a sucker. I know better!! Just paid for a puppy (from a Facebook post) just to find out these same puppies pictures are on other websites saying they scam artists I asked for a refund and the seller acted like I did something wrong as she stated her PayPal acct will not allow refunds now. So I reported it to PayPal and made a claim and asked them to ask her for proof of shipment for this puppy. All I got in return was an email from PayPal saying my claim was denied!!!! Should I call my MasterCard? What is my next step? Thx for any and all advise
Hi Dawn,
I would recommend the following:
Respond to Paypal and ask for the grounds for the dismissal. YOU will need to present evidence as they will not gather evidence. Screenshots of emails and messages are good as well as photos of the pets. It also helps to do a reverse image search on Google. https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/1325808?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop&hl=en
Hi minpinshome .com real or is it a scam
Hi Shairoon,
It is a scam. We have published a warning here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/minpinshome-com/
Hi my name isShairoon Persaud the website I got for the min pinscher is minpinshome.com every time I googled for min pinscher they always there they r the one I paid $700 for a min pinscher and shipping can you let me know if it’s real or a scam thank u
Hi my name is Shairoon I think I have scam $700 for a mini pinscher bought the puppy on 5/2/19 from Arlington Virginia from Charles mini pin home phone number 703 646 7461 website pinscherminiarure3@gmail.com the puppy was supposed to be ship out on Monday 5/6/19 then I received an email from Jalsa US pet travel web info@supremeshiplypetsercices.com that they wanted $1,150 for a special create that the puppy cannot be ship in the create that the broader send the create is electronic and will adjust to the temperature of the puppy their phone number is 973-313-1300 I spoke to a lady who called herself madam Barbara they wanted me to send this money Western union to one Mike Gibson and to keep it to myself to avoid higher service charge the name of the person who is shipping this puppy is called Charles but the shipper name is Lawrence Smith as of now I am still waiting on the puppy Madam Barbara told me that I can cancel the shipment but have to pay $300 pls help I am so broken hearted
Hi Shairoon,
This is a scam. The “Delivery Company” has been posted here:
https://petscams.com/pet-delivery-agency/supremeshiplypetservices-com/
In the end I did not fall for it countrymainecoons@gmail.com sometimes they use countymaincoons
They had me going until I read a comment on the internet that these scams exist. Then I got suspicious.
they did never tell me an address but finally this: We do have a Moneygram Store by our Location so All you need to do is to take the information below to any CVS or Walmart Store around you and make the MoneyGram payment.
Names: Frederic Fecher
State: Virginia
City: Lynchburg
Zip code:24501
Amount: $400
Please use the list of locations below.
CVS – #10006
10650 N ORACLE RD
oro valley, AZ 85737-9301
Below are scam websites, FB page and phone number. They took my deposit $100, they were asking $400 but I refused. won’t reply to me when I asked for my money back since I found it’s scam from various craigslist posts all over the U.S. I tried to report website on Petscams.com but always cannot send out. Anyway, please watch out. If you call them you can find out they don’t speak good English and I hardly understand what they said. I called them after I found out it’s scam but too late. They request your money by Zelle, and will provide you very cute frenchie puppies pictures.
https://www.facebook.com/kellieskennell/
https://kellies-kennel.com/
+ (909) 307-4213
Hi Alice,
kellies-kennel.com is reported here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/kellies-kennel-com/
Please add any info you may have to the page. Very much appreciated.
I am currently working on some bugs in our reporting system sorry that you could not post!
Have you heard anything about teacupcompanions.com? Are they legit?
They are a scam. We have a report here:
https://petscams.com/puppy-scammer-list/teacupcompanions-com/
Teacupcompanions.com
Teacupcompanions.com is a scam website. These scammers create fake websites and then pay to advertise them online using stolen credit cards. This is not a review, they are criminals!
Paul Brady
Apr 28, 2019
9 Shares 120 Views Teacupcompanions.com appears to be ONLINE
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Who are Teacupcompanions.com?
Teacup Companions – Puppies For Sale
Teacup Companions – Puppies For Sale, http://Teacupcompanions.com, http://www.Teacupcompanions.com
Email used: NOT KNOWN, Please add to comments below
Phone number used: NOT KNOWN, Please add to comments below
Names used: NOT KNOWN, Please add to comments below
Physical address used*: NOT KNOWN, Please add to comments below
*Scammers use a physical address to appear more legitimate. The address will have no connection to the actual scam as they will be an innocent third party
Teacupcompanions.com are criminals. Their goal is to steal your money.
They will lie, they will tell you sob stories, they will send you pictures of puppys which they have found online, they will assure you of their faith and religion – anything to get your money!
These scammers offer huge discounts that no actual yorkshire terrier puppy breeder would ever offer.If you see an offer that is too good to be true, it probably is. After you have paid the (hugely discounted) initial fee for the puppy you will be introduced to the “shipping company”.
The Scam Delivery company is simply another website created by the scammer to charge you even more fees for everything from delivery, an air conditioned travel crate, medical insurance for your puppy and even ask you to pay for premium pet food for your puppy!
To see some of these scam delivery companies have a look at Scam Shipping Company.
To see more scam websites involving yorkshire terrier puppys have a look at Yorkshire Terrier Puppy Scams.
They gave me this Info,
Phone 539-209-4902 said they are at 1713 Clayhill Court Marietta Ga 30064.
When I told them they were scamers they took down the emails with there name they gave me. But I’m sure it’s not right.
How do you stop them for hurting other people like they do, just not right.
Gave me a name as Randolph Antonio Yartaveous
email ghonny719@gmail.com
Sublinebabies.com has disappeared from the internet after I called the lowlife out on her scam,
Geri
Today I went online and visited a website called “Sublimebabies.com” The first thing I was aware of was the person who wrote a reply email to me probably either was not from this country or had an education not extending the 5th grade because of their misspellings and bad grammar. then I “saved as” the pictures I was sent to my desktop. When I opened the pictures I right clicked and opened the file information. The pictures were taken 10/31/18 at 12:02pm. But the litter she was scamming was born 3/2/19. I called her out on it, told her I was done and will be reporting her. Prior to busting her I had asked her where she was located and of course she was the farthest away from California one could get…Rhode Island knowing I wouldn’t be driving there anytime soon.
She never included her name in her emails, Nor was there a phone number.
These people are so pathetic
I believe I was scammed to today for a 500.00 yorkie. I can’t believe I fell for this. They are smooth. I don’t know if they have picked up my money or not. But I need to know who to report this too and if I have any chance of getting my money back. I have a phone number and a name. Kenneth Davis who didn’t sound like he was from this country. They said they were in Virginia but nowdays who knows. I am heart broken.
So my scam wasn’t as big as anybody else’s. I was just scammed out of $150 for a German shepherd when the breeder told me to put $100 for a deposit and called me two days later for another $50 for dog food all through Walmart gift cards and that it would be discounted from the total price of the dog ($300). Coincidentally they said their grandfather had cancer in Florida and said they would have to fly out their on the day we were supposed to meet so he shipped it out. Keep in mind this guy was “based” on Los Angeles but the dog was being flown from San Francisco. Then I get an email from a sketchy “pet carrier agency” and when i confronted them about it not coming up in my searches he told me to search another shipping sight but still couldn’t find my order. Then I get an email about a $400 refundable insurance fee and delayment. I of course don’t fall for it because the email the “agency “ doesn’t even have a customer service number, email, address/location, and VERY poor grammar. So when i tell the dude to take care of the $400 fee he decides to ask me for the rest of my $150 and that he’ll ask a friend for help for the “$400” and then I can pay him back. So I’m getting suspicious and I tell my little sister to text the number asking for a female dog (when I put the deposit he said she was off the market now and was the only female they had) and they offer her the ONE female puppy. So I call this person out on their BS and they never respond back. What’s funny is that the website won’t even let me report the ad.
If you wanna check it out, here it is.
http://m.recycler.com/details/94641220/german-shepherd-puppies
They send you a bunch of cute pictures of the dog that make it believable but don’t fall for it. I have pictures of the emails too and the messages.
It’s sad that people do this because we get excited and spend additional money on items. People just please be careful out there
Hi Denice,
i just found this:
“If you receive any suspicious, offensive, or “spammy” emails, please let us know immediately.You can email us at service@recycler.com“
I bought a french bulldog for 699.00 this sunday from https://www.mikesteacups.com/product/stella-2/
I was told on Monday i would get an email for her flight details. I work night shift so when i woke up at 7pm est there was no email. I immediately called Mike. He was confused as to why i had not gotten an email yet and asked me to wait until tuesday, i went off on him and let him know that was not what we discussed on sunday. An hour later i got an email from infosifanimal@gmail.com claiming they were a company called siff animal movers, the emails title had a flight number on it 67390 but as i read on it says in the email
Registration No: → STELLA-5790AC-Æ11
Flight Status: → “To be Booked”
Flight Papers: → Processing
How the hell can u have a flight number and not have a booked flight
it was ended by best regards Dr Larry Parsons head office manager
no phone number or address attached like most professionals have on emails
I guess ill be sitting today waititng to see if they call for more money, but this is truly sad that people are being scammed like this. Our pets are like our children
Hi Georgette,
The delivery website https://petscams.com/pet-delivery-agency/siffanimalmovers-com/ has now been shut down. They will build another website as soon as possible and once we have information on their new site we will also shut that down.
It is a game of cat and mouse.
All details have been invented by the scammer however by publishing these details hopefully it will prevent another person from getting scammed.
I hope you manage to find a puppy locally.
I just bought a multipool for 600 and I think its a scam. How can I find out?
Hi Verlaine,
If you report the details to us here:
https://petscams.com/report-pet-scam-websites/
We will get back to you. Please leave as many details as possible.
Paul
We just encountered this same scam over the holiday weekend. We were so excited that we thought we had found a beautiful men pin up in Arlington Virginia emailed back-and-forth with breeder add delivery dates all set up page $650 to reader 4 delivery and for poppy was then contacted by the shipping company stating they needed another $1150 for special crate due to the weather. We foolishly did that also. We then drive 2 hours to get to the airport to pick up said puppy only to receive another notice stating we needed to spend yet another $1000 on that bills and such. It was at this time we realized we had been scammed it is heartbreaking
I am with ABC7 News in San Francisco. I would love to speak to someone at Petscams.com. Please contact me. Thank you
I just lost my money with Mightyteacuppuppies.com A total scam. kids are crushed no new puppy. Lost my money. I saved all emails and documents. The shipper also lied info@skylineshipping.us.
No help from bank, or Zelle. Watch out for anyone named: Demeris
Who makes sure these are scams and not just one person wanting to get back at someone or just wants to cause trouble? There should be a group of people traveling to these places and getting information first hand.
Very good question Roxsanne.
Of course there are genuine breeders out there, with “genuine” websites. We currently have 3 volunteers researching domains to see if they fit the criteria of a scam. Once they are submitted I personally sign them off. We do not review breeders. We state that the websites we publish are scams created by criminals. Of course if we publish a genuine breeder as a scam we are immediately liable and face the very real prospect of being shut down and sued.
On a regular day we will publish about 20 scam websites. We will find another 2 or 3 websites that we “know” are scams but cannot prove. These websites are not published until we receive further proof.
We are currently looking for volunteers to research for us (hint hint!). If we did have a group of people to travel to check addresses we would have much more use for them in researching domains that have been submitted.
You can see that the domains registered by one scammer (paypal@goldlife.ga) cover every breed and several delivery companies. Many of the domains have been shut down.
https://domainbigdata.com/goldlife.ga/mj/ZjBDRev30-YvMnFtubPsnQ
This is a Cameroonian national using internet based phone numbers. We would not need to physically go to the addresses on the websites to realise that they are scams.
We are also open to the possibility that disgruntled customers may report a genuine breeder. We do not have the capability of investigating cases where people do not receive the correct papers, receive the wrong pet, receive a sick pet etc. We can only investigate “The Puppy Scam” in which criminals claim to sell and ship pets with no intention of doing so.
If you think that we have published a website incorrectly then please tell us in the comments of the particular article.
Thank you,
Paul
Paul, I am interested! Tell me what you need and I will do it. I am working on something as we speak. You would find interesting. Of course, I can not give away any details. You will hear from me in a couple days. Thieves who pry on people make me mad! It should be a good experience.
It felt wrong when we were buying a Yorkie but we were convinced because they had all the answers to our questions. We lost $350 but I have seen others loose a lot more. Thank you for informing us.