Online Scammers Using Pets to Get Your Cash
There are few things cuter than a fuzzy little puppy. But, pound-for-pound, there aren't that many things more expensive, either, at least if you're the type to demand a purebred or trendy crossbreed like Schnoodles or Dorkies. This is surely one reason why scammers are starting to turn to pet lovers to earn some cash. Bankrate.com has created an overview of common pet scams, some of which we've seen before in other guises, and others that are downright disturbing. Here are the two most common scams:
Nigerian Puppies -- This is a variation of the classic Nigerian scam in which the criminal asks for a little money in exchange for a lot, in this case a purebred puppy worth around $2,000. Scammers ask for $100 for shipping for the pooch, which later turns into $200 due to unexpected fees. In the end, the would-be buyer has no dog and the scammer has a couple hundred bucks or more. Sadly, you should be wary when doing any online business with anyone from Nigeria, pet-related or otherwise.
Designer-Priced Mutts -- As mentioned above, if you are willing to pay thousands for a custom breed, be sure that you get what you pay for. Some scammers are selling mutts to wealthy buyers who think they're getting a specific mix of breeds.
In general, you're recommended to never buy a dog strictly over the Internet. There are enough reputable breeders in just about every part of the country that finding the right pooch in person shouldn't be difficult. But, if you're that money conscious that you'd risk sending cash to Nigeria for a free puppy, why not give a call to your local humane society? There are millions of great but homeless dogs and cats available and they'll love you just as much whether they're a Labradoodle or a plain ol' mutt.
From Bankrate.com
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Valerie @ Sep 7th 2007 9:04PM
I would never buy a pet online, it destroyes the whole Pet-owner connection! You go to a shelter, you look in the cages, you see a little (or big) one that steals your heart away and BOOM, instant love! I pulled my adored kitten from underneath her siblings, she was the little runt kept warm by 4 other kittens, we locked eyes and hearts, You can't do that online.
Beachbum @ Sep 7th 2007 9:04PM
We've got a dog for sale. $50.00. It on craig's list / Myrtle Beach. She's so cute!
Kevin K @ Sep 7th 2007 9:14PM
My wife and I actually do sell online and it is a great way to purchase a pet.
veronica @ Sep 7th 2007 9:21PM
I purchased my one Cocker on-line. The breeder and I coresponded for a few weeks and got familiar with each other. You can check the AKC and ACA websites and check on the breeder you are interested in purchasing from. He was home raised and the breeder has both parents. I would recommend her and buy from her again. If you do your homework before making an internet purchase, you won't get scammed. You just need to check out the people or business you find what you want at. I do believe in rescue. We rescued 2 of our other dogs and 3 cats. Animals are a great joy in life and I love all of our dogs and cats.
jennifer @ Sep 7th 2007 9:24PM
Who would send any money to Nigeria? If it sounds too good to be true, it must be!!!!
Kristen @ Sep 7th 2007 9:30PM
My husband and I have purchased both our dogs online - our older dog is from Oklahoma and we flew him here (Massachusetts) and our puppy is from Ohio - we drove to get her two weeks ago! We have had great experiences with puppyfind.com!I understand why people are cynical but it can work - boxers are very expensive in our part of the country and we were able to get better prices for incredible dogs elsewhere.
Susie @ Sep 7th 2007 9:37PM
There are too many purebred and obedience trained dogs waiting for homes in our local shelters. I'll pass on the puppy mill dogs and irresponsible backyard breeders and save a homeless pet locally. There are legitimate rescue groups for all breeds out there even if you want to be picky about breed, age, sex or color. www.petfinder.com is a great resource to help find a companion animal.
"Don't breed or buy while shelter dogs die."
4-5 million homeless animals are put to death in U.S. shelters every year.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=fl6wYn7tQo8
PET STORE animals are from PUPPY MILLS.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1GnYpq9TYM
ADOPT. SPAY. NEUTER.
Unaltered, one pair of cats can produce 420,000 kittens in seven years.
In six years, one female dog and her offspring could give birth to 67,000 puppies.
Bette Thomas @ Sep 7th 2007 9:44PM
You need to know there are rescue centers for just about any breed of cats or dogs. Our Basset, Homer, & our two Siamese, TingTing & Blue Boy are all from rescue centers.
aimee @ Sep 7th 2007 10:00PM
My husband and I bout a yorkie for 1500.00 on puppyfind.com We were one of 30 people that bought the same puppy.
It took over a year for this older woman in her 60's to get caught. I have received a partial payment from her 3 months ago for 150.00 and haven't received anything else yet. It will take years for her to pay off the restitution.
You would think by going on a real website it may be safe, but it is not.
We have since purchased a shelter dog who is the love of our life. I would recommend a shelter dog to any breeder or website.
Sara @ Sep 7th 2007 10:03PM
There are no responsible breeders who would ship their puppies sight-unseen to just anyone with a checkbook. People need to get educated out there because schnoodles, labradoodle, bagel, ori pei... they're all just mixed-breed dogs without the guideline of breed standards. I've been fishing people's discarded dogs, purebred and otherwise, out of shelters for 20 years. I also get calls from many people who ordered their dog online for $1000 the week before and now are wanting to give it to rescue because it's nothing like they thought it would be. Use your heads, people!
Cathy @ Sep 7th 2007 10:04PM
Anyone should be careful when purchasing anything from anywhere.
I do breed dogs and sell puppies on line, my site is a secure Paypal site.
Everyone who raises and sells dogs is not a puppy mill. All of the puppies I raise are wanted and loved, and I raise them with great care, a lot of fun, and with extreme regard to their health and well being, their parents are dogs I have raised and treated in the same way.
I provide new owners with support, education and advice around the clock.
I am assured that my puppies go to good homes and reserve the right to sell to anyone.
I also encourage future owners to adopt pets from shelters and rescue, and I am here for those that don't choose to. 75% of the people who have purchased puppies from me have also adopted from shelters and rescues.
And a good portion also purchase a second puppy from me, as well as sometimes adopting adult dogs. No dog from my kennel has ever been destroyed because it was unwanted. I only raise one breed. Prior to doing this I had a houseful of rescue animals. They all lived with me until they died. I have taken in strays my entire life, and will continue to do so. My pets are spayed and nueterd. I also donate some of my earnings to animal shelters and rescues.
POWgbbn @ Sep 7th 2007 10:08PM
We never sold our litter online but had an ad in the paper and we got a phone call from someone supposedly in London, England. He wanted to send us an outrageous amount of money to ship the pup to Africa. It was for a pup that cost $350. We immediately knew something was up. It was a total scam. Doesn't matter what your doing, or selling. Of you think it's too good to be true. . .it probably is.
Cathy @ Sep 7th 2007 10:11PM
Just a footnote.. I am also compiling a coffee table book of the pictures I have taken of my puppies, if it is published or earns money a good percentage of that will also be donated to the Humane Society or shelters and rescues.
bill @ Sep 7th 2007 10:20PM
A FOOL AND HIS MONEY ARE QUICKLY PARTED.END OF STORY SUCKERS
ljk @ Sep 7th 2007 10:52PM
my 12 year old niece got scammed into this..she saved all the allowances and birthday money she had to buy a dog..these people were telling her that they were Christian Missionaries and couldn't take the dog with them. The bilked her out of $100. First they wanted $300, and her telling them she was a christian too they reduced the price.. wired the money to them, then called and said they needed more money. These people were such sweet talkers to her mother on phone too. It's a shame they took advantage of my 12 year old niece, but lesson learned I guess. Who would have thought that this would be a scam? Hope that they rot in Hell for this. Police said they couldn't do anything being it was only $100. They know what they're doing by only asking $100.
J-Man @ Sep 7th 2007 11:30PM
Online breeders are VERY good ways to buy a pedigreed dog/cat. A person should first check the website of the main Dog or Cat Fancy organization to get guidelines on how to find a reputable breeder - and how to tell.
To all those people who are anti-breeders - please just realize that the pet overpopulation is NOT due to purebred breeders. It is irresponsible pet owners that fail to spay or neuter their pet, and let them roam or be exposed to the outdoors, and neighboring horny dogs/cats. Over population is also caused by farm cats or feral cat populations that are left unchecked. I have read somewhere recently, and know it to be true - DO NOT GIVE YOUR MONEY DIRECTLY TO THE SPCA or to PETA!!! They are big organizations, and the money does not get to your local shelters! Donate your time and money to your local community shelters - get projects going for humanely capturing feral animals and getting them spayed/neutered and rehomed. And, yes, adopt shelter pets. If you are against getting a pedigree cat/dog from a breeder, try a rescue league for the specific breed. There are 'throw away' animals, like greyhounds for example, that once they are no longer good for racing, are often just put to sleep. Thank goodness for the adoption agencies that are rescuing these pedigreed animals.
But just to reinterate - BREEDERS do NOT cause the pet overpopulation problem. Small hobby breeders are BETTER to buy from than from a pet store because you can get health guarantees, and the animals are not bred in puppy or kitty- mill conditions, and taken away from their mothers at too young an age where they are not socialized properly, get bad habits that people hate when they buy the pet, and then want to get rid of their 'cute little' pet. Responsible breeders NEVER let their puppies or kittens leave the mothers until 11 or 12 weeks of age. In a pet store, the kittens/puppies are often 8 weeks of age, or sometimes, a week or two younger.
To address the money scams - do your research on the breed you are going to buy - and see what the average price is for the pet you will buy. NEVER pay by Western Union or cash (unless cash is exchanged at the time the pet is purchased). Always make sure their is a CONTRACT that protects you, your new pet, and the breeder from fraud-related practices! Just be SMART, take your time doing your research.
Yomomma @ Sep 7th 2007 11:38PM
To the author Tim:
You wrote "Some scammers are selling mutts to wealthy buyers who think they're getting a specific mix of breeds."
You sure gave me a laugh... specific breed mix or not, a mutt is a mutt is a mutt.
People who pay the big buck for these so called designer dogs are also getting scamed.
I guess it is true that a fool and his money are soon parted..........
Patricia BarrySmith @ Sep 7th 2007 11:41PM
I bought my Katera on line and I saved her from being put to sleep. She has a lung defect and is the sweetest 9 month old puppy and very smart. Not all people are scam artists. Do your HOMEWORK before buying and it pays.
Dawn Dalyce @ Sep 8th 2007 12:32AM
I'm a highly recommended Breeder for over 30 years, Veterinarians and Show Judges and Show enthusiasts from around the world buy puppies from me, and hundreds of happy pet buyers. If you choose a reputable experianced breeder with tons of references you'll get your dream puppy, just as described and pictured, or even cuter in person when it arrives, healthy and happy.
Paula Caray @ Sep 8th 2007 12:53AM
I have 4 rescue dogs. The only way these puppie mills will be stopped is for people to stop using them. I`m sorry if this affects the ligit breeders but something must be done a/b these horrible situations with shelters & puppy mills. There are dogs that desparately need homes everywhere, to keep deliberity allowing more to be born is disgraceful.