Warning over internet puppy scam
Last updated | 21/05/2008
A Perth woman has sent out a warning to dog lovers after she fell victim to an internet scam which was offering puppies for a bargain £250.
The woman responded to an online classified advertisement offering a 12-week-old pedigree Akita puppy, named Star, at the cut-down price.
She said: "My daughter and granddaughter had always wanted an Akita, and this seemed to be a great opportunity. I contacted the seller via email, and following a short correspondence I sent off the money to what I thought was a seller based in Glasgow.
"Then other unexpected fees begin to materialise – custom charges, veterinary bills, feeding costs , innoculations, kenneling, carriage costs.
"The demands sounded plausible but eventually I had sent a total of £968 over the course of two weeks. The final straw was a further demand for an £800 ‘refundable’ life insurance to cover the puppy during carriage. At this point I reported the matter to the police and Trading Standards."
Perth and Kinross Principal Trading Standards Officer, Derek Hutchison, said the woman had in fact fallen for a well-known con trick.
"Unfortunately this lady is yet another victim of a worldwide fraud known as the Puppy Scam," he said.
"Much like other advance-fee-fraud scams the buyer is asked to send money in advance for the purchase of the puppy via untraceable Moneygrams or Western Union money transfer.
"Sellers are highly unlikely to be based in the UK and often use untraceable email addresses and untraceable payment methods to perpetrate the scam. Similar scams have been found to have originated in West Africa.
“In order to avoid these types of scams remember some simple advice. Know who you are dealing with and try to independently confirm the seller’s name, address and phone numbers.
"Never buy on impulse – the photograph of the puppy may look cute but it could easily have been copied from a website of a legitimate breeder. Most reputable breeders recommend that you view the puppy and, if possible see the mother before buying. Be very suspicious if the seller will only accept payment via Money orders or Western Union.
"If you have any suspicions at all do not send any money - contact the Trading Standards Department instead and speak to one of our officers."
Perth and Kinross Trading Standards can be contacted on 01738 476476.
