Andrea Rosebrock 
Unfortunately scams are nothing new and with the internet becoming so widely used, internet scams are on the rise. It seems like scammers are now targeting dog and puppy lovers as well as reputable breeders. Through a little research I’ve come across a couple of versions.
One version, as seen the this story from WBZTV.com in Boston targets people looking for puppies online.
Internet scam targets puppy lovers – (WBZ) BOSTON Pet lovers are being warned about a new scam involving bogus offers for puppies.
Joy Schick recently saw a tempting newspaper ad offering a purebred Yorkshire terrier for $400.
There are signs to look for: The dogs are out of state and are deeply discounted. Usually, the purported breeder will correspond only via e-mail.
The American Kennel Club says reputable breeders will offer references and other quality assurances. (For the full story, Click here)
And here’s another version targeting reputable dog breeders, from QualityDogs.com.
Beware of Dog Breeder Scams on the Internet – Sadly, there seems to be an ever-increasing number of Internet scammers preying on just about everyone. Well, dog lovers and breeders are no exception. There is a scam currently running full-force that targets dog breeders, and you should definitely be on the lookout for suspicious communications.
Here’s how it works:
Someone contacts you and says they are interested in a puppy. They may say that they are contacting you directly, or that they are an agent of another person. Either way, they are typically outside the US. Furthermore, in the emails I have seen, they seem to refer to the puppy in an odd way, such as my employer is interested in “PUPPY” that you have for sale. Obviously, this is your first big red flag. (For the full story, Click here)
Then there are the scammers that steal pictures from reputable breeders, dog websites and places like Dogster and use those pictures to run ads for puppies on online sites such as PuppyFind.com and NextDayPets.com.
You can and should query an online site thru places like Rip-offReport.com. If you run a query for Puppyfind.com on Rip-offReport.com, you’ll find pages of complaints ranging from stolen pictures to ‘breeders’ taking money and never delivering.
Always use due diligence when purchasing something online!! Query search engines for the company name and ’scam’.
Your best bet if you want a dog or puppy is to find one through a shelter or rescue. There are many wonderful dogs desperately in need of homes. If you are looking for a breed specific dog, you can find many breed specific rescues all over the country with dogs ranging from puppy to adult. If you want to purchase a dog from a breeder be sure to find a reputable breeder. In general, most breeders do not run classified ads. Do your research!! Do not be taken in and remember, if it looks too good to be true, it is!
I want to thank my dear Dogster friend Amanda for bring the initial story to my attention. She is also a dog owner and lover. Check out her doxie ‘babies’; Roxie, Gemini & Liberty at Dogster!
[...] come across someone actually getting their comeuppance after I just posted about this last week – Internet Scams Target Dog & Puppy Lovers and Breeders [...]
[...] ‘Buyer Beware’, keep in mind the old adage, it something looks too good to be true, it probably is. Dog scams are on the rise and some people think nothing of stealing a dog and selling it for some quick bucks [...]
[...] yet another example of why not to buy a puppy online! Aside from the scams that are becoming ever more prevelant you also have the puppy mills and irresponsible breeders. If [...]
I was just recently scammed in the last week. Do not start talking to a man named Danny Mockery or Samuel Cozette.
Samuel Cozette is a scam artist. We fell for this unfortunately. Once we wired part of the money through Western Union, we had a gut feeling this wasn’t right and began doing research (which we should have done instantly). He is posing as a missionary and his “babies” need a caring family. They can not handle the weather in Africa (Nigeria). The dogs are cheap considering English Bulldogs range from 1800 – 3500. We should have known (we have had two bulldogs and paid the large amount). IF YOU COME ACROSS ANY ADS FOR DISCOUNTED PUPPIES OR FREE, REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY! We don’t want anyone else to fall for this scam. It is unfortunate that someone actually has the audicity to pose as a person who lives for GOD and does humanitarian work and missionary and scams people. We know where “SAMUEL COZETTE” will end up. Another thing, NEVER SEND ANYTHING WESTERN UNION. Thanks for taking your time in reading this…Always do research first.
OMG!!! I know someone who is dealing with this person! I knew when she told me, it didn’t sound right. All this sounds familiar to what she has told me so far. That he is short this amount and next he needs this much again. I researched his name and this blog came up! What step did you take to recover the lost money? I don’t know exactly how much money she has sent him so far.
Unfortunately because most of these scams take place in Nigeria or other places like that, there really is no way to recover the money. Sadly it just has to be looked at as a lesson learned.
D.
If you are looking at a breeder via the internet, sure, look – but do not send any money unless you are allowed to visit the “kennel” and inspect the place personally. Always try to use a breeder in your state, or within 100 – 150 miles of where you live. Reputable breeders will allow you to visit, which I would definitely do.
There are too many scam artists and puppy mills out there. Anything from “across the pond” – don’t even think about it.
I am currently emailing a missionary that is going by the name Elizabeth Turnbull. The story is that she was transfered to the U.K. for missions and cannot take care of the 2 English Bulldogs that she purchased just recently. She supposedly bought 2 dogs for $1300.00 each and only wants the adoptive party to pay only for shipping, which is $600.00. She is requesting that the $600.00 be sent via western union. I am very leary of this and am trying to get as much information as possible but sheis not very forthcoming with any details. I will pass along any more information that I uncover. This all started when I contacted a suposed breeder and they told me that they did not have any puppies but they had just had a customer transfered to London and they wanted someone to adopt the puppies. Kinda scary!!
She is not forthcoming because she is a scam artist. See if you can get more info, or possibly forward the email to an English Bulldog rescue. They will find out if it is truth or fiction.