What is a Pet Scam

Pet scams

Another scam is based on the adoption of a puppy (usually English Bulldogs or Yorkshire Terriers; a cute, expensive breed coveted by families who cannot afford them) or an exotic pet such a parrots or reptiles. A scammer first posts an advertisement or sets up a web page offering puppies for adoption or for sale at a ridiculously low price, most often using stolen pictures from other websites and respectable breeders.

When a victim responds to the ad and questions the lowered price or the reason for giving up such an adorable and expensive pet, the scammer first explains that they have recently moved to Nigeria or Cameroon from the US for work (usually volunteer work as missionaries) or for studies, and claims either to have no time to properly care for the pet, that the weather has had such a terrible toll on the pet or that they have too many pets to care for.

The scammer and victim will exchange a few emails to build trust. Once it is established that the victim offers the right home for the pet, the scammer will then offer to ship the pet and requests that the victim only pay for shipping or comes off the original price substantially to seem legit. The victim, who now has an emotional attachment to the pet, feels obligated and even happy to do so, as shipping is a small price to pay compared to the pet's full price at a shop or breeder.

The scammer requests Western Union or MoneyGram to keep the deal going in a timely fashion as the pet is ready to go to a new home and the victim is now excited. However, after wiring money, the victim will not receive the pet (as the pets don't exist), and if the victim does hear from the scammer again it is only for more money (to get puppy out of airport holding, or to pay unexpected vet bills that have come up) until the victim stops responding.