Note: If you are concerned or want to verify a site that you may purchase a puppy from, please message me on scammer.info, add a post to this thread, or email me at [email protected].
About Dog Scams
Online dog scams are some of the most compelling scams that exist. They prey on the emotions of people who are likely to have recently lost their dog and intend to inflict further harm through several clever means of stealing money. Scammers create websites and post them on popular search browsers, like Google, offering puppies with stunning markings and appearance for the low price of just a few hundred dollars. In truth, animals of such high caliber could be sold for upwards of $2000 in most cases. This is what attracts most people to purchasing a puppy from these scammers. After contacting scam websites, you will be further convinced by an email that asks you several questions, often pertaining to the quality of life that your home would offer to the pet. Example questions include the following:
- Are you getting a puppy or Pomeranian for the first time?
- Do you have other pets?
- Do you have a vet nearby?
- How much experience do you have with dogs?
- Where exactly are you located?
- Are you single or a couple?
- Do you have children?
- Does your home have space for a puppy to run?
It is incredibly easy to fall for dog scams. Scammers will attempt to sell numerous types of breeds, meaning no one is safe. They offer seemingly great deals and great dogs as vulnerable individuals shop relentlessly to fill the gap made by the passing of their last dog.
Despite robust safeguards to prevent scams from being posted on Google, many scammers use Google Ads to advertise their business. Simply because a breeder is using Google Ads does not mean that they are not a scam.
Most Dog Scams originate from nations in Western Africa, the most common of which being Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ghana. However, our team has also detected dog scam operations being run in South Africa, the Philippines, India, Turkey, Ukraine, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Most scammers from non-African countries are individuals who once operated their scams in African nations, but have now been granted citizenship, asylum, or refuge in these other countries while continuing to illegally run fraudulent businesses.
See the Better Business Bureau’s Tips on Avoiding Dog Scams: https://www.bbb.org/all/petscams
My Indicators of a Dog Scam:
Note that some non-scam sites may share these features.
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A Testimonials and Anti-Scam Page
Scammers will often use a testimonials page and/or a page on dog scams to convince site visitors that they are visiting the website of a legitimate breeder. Don’t be fooled! -
Poor English
Dog scams are often operated in non-English speaking nations, meaning fraudulent websites typically contain poor English and noticeable grammatical issues. This poor English can also be seen in messages and emails received from a scammer. -
Low Prices
Scammers will attempt to persuade you into buying one of their dogs by offering superior puppies at low prices. -
Stock/Social Media-Like Images
Many scam sites use stock images and steal photos and videos of dogs from social media platforms to show and convince you that they own the dog. -
Request to Meet the Dog
If you are suspicious, request to meet the dog in person, schedule a video call to see the dog, or ask for a photo of the dog with a specific object, like a spoon. Scammers will be unable to provide such photos or schedule a video call. If you ask to meet the dog in person, scammers will ask you for a deposit of money to “reserve the dog”. This is a telltale sign of a scam. -
Suspicious Payment Methods
Dog scammers will often request generally untraceable payment methods, including PayPal, Western Union, MoneyGram, CashApp, Zelle, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Gift Cards, among others. Some scammers will also be willing to do a bank transfer. -
Call the Scammer
Ask to call a scammer. If they have a foreign-sounding/African accent and cannot speak English well, they are likely a scammer. The phone services that scammers use have poor audio quality, so if the phone sounds low, it is likely due to this or the scammer trying to remain quiet because it is night time in their country. -
Times of Contact
If a scammer is contacting you late at night and at strange times, it is likely day time in their country and easier for them to communicate with you. This is a typical sign of a scam. -
Home/House/Family in Company Name
Many scammers will use the words “Home”, “Family”, and “House” in the name of their breeding company to compel you to believe that they are a reliable breeder who is looking to sell their dogs. An example of a website with this trait could be www.pomeranianpupshome.com
This thread will be used to share details and information about puppy scams, and expose known puppy scam sites. Please do not hesitate to add information about these scams and websites that are fraudulent.
If you have significant information regarding a scam and would like us to report it, please share it with us in this format and be sure to include sourcing details.
Scam Website:
Email:
Phone:
Associated Names:
Scammer’s Location:
