Puppies For Sale on OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist

Beware of the Puppies For Adoption Near Me Ads

Who doesn't love puppies? If you are a fan of puppies, you have probably contemplated adoption more than once. Thousands of people adopt puppies each year. The demand for young, healthy puppies is at an all-time high.

The high demand for these fur babies is the driving force behind online puppy scams. Before you agree to adopt a puppy online, you should take the time to review the study conducted by the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The study is provided in the article below for your convenience. But first, let's see how the Online Puppy Scam (aka Puppies For Adoption Near Me scam) works.

Watch the video to see the Puppy Scam exposed:

 

Online Puppy Scam Complaints

Tens of thousands of North American consumers have filed complaints with consumer organizations, online websites, and law enforcement agencies in recent years. The victims vary in age from very young to senior citizens.

According to the BBB study, most of the victims are in their late teens and 20s. Scams generally target consumers who are not suspecting or aware.

It is believed that about 80 percent of online advertisements related to pets are potentially fraudulent. And, if you conduct an online search for a dog, cat, or other domestic animals, you will probably encounter at least one bogus website.

 

puppies for adoption near me

 

Origin of the Online Puppy Scam

The BBB Online Puppy Scam study revealed that most of the schemes originate from West Africa and Cameroon. Law enforcement agencies in the United States and Canada are joining forces with government entities and mainstream media to combat these scams. The goal is to increase awareness to the point that every consumer is aware of online scams.

According to the BBB study, law enforcement agencies have arrested several suspects who are believed to play a role in one or more of these scams. The study showed that the suspects are Cameroonians living in the United States. These suspects are working with other Cameroonians residing in Cameroon. How does the scam work?

If you haven't watched the video above, the fraud scheme works like this: the victim sends money through MoneyGram or Western Union for the purchase of a puppy advertised online.

Criminals will retrieve the money, but the victims do not get the puppy they paid for simply because the puppy doesn't exist. The scammers just stole images with dogs from the Internet and advertise them online as their own. Even more, they advertise the pets as if they are in your city, hence the ‘near me' reference, but find reasons to avoid meeting you, saying the puppy might be away on treatment.

In reality, the scammers never had a puppy for sale, but they have built trust with the victim before convincing them to send money over.

It is the same concept that crooks apply for other common scams. One example is when they advertise great products for sale, including fake travel agencies (selling plane tickets) or online casinos (promising big rewards). Victims send money for something that exists only as a cover!

Even if you are going to do something as simple as play online casinos utilizing cash, you should still conduct thorough research – tons of legitimate businesses out there. There are websites like Sbobet Mobile that are trustworthy and reputable.

Establishing a Home

Owning a puppy is part of North American culture. Just about everyone living in the United States has or has owned a puppy at some point. This is why North North American consumers are at a higher risk than foreign consumers.

Most North Americans view a puppy as a new addition to their family, especially at Christmas or birthday parties. Some believe that adopting a puppy is a great way to establish a home. This is especially true for new homeowners and young adults who are striving to be independent.

Companionship

Pets are the best form of companionship for seniors and others who live alone. Just the mere fact that the pet will be there when the individual comes home is very comforting. Couples who are dealing with infertility issues will often adopt a pet to ease the pain. This is a widespread behavior among North Americans.

In many cases, a pet will become the center point of the owner's life. The companionship between pets and humans are so strong that nothing can touch it. And, if you ask anyone who owns a pet about the relationship, they will respond by saying it is the best.

Preying on Animal Lovers

It is a big decision to adopt a new pet. While many people only consider the idea, others will not hesitate to follow it through. With that said, there are bad people out there preying on animal lovers. These individuals do not care about anything except for scamming others out of money. In online puppy scams, there is no pet, only a scheme to defraud someone.

Unfortunately, the victim is not aware of the scheme. So, they do not hesitate to purchase Western Union or MoneyGram, simply because it is impossible to track the criminal when using these services.

Experts recommend never sending money through a money transfer service to unknown individuals. Even if you believe the transaction is legitimate, it is crucial to conduct thorough research. Many consumers opt to buy pets online because the options are plentiful. Unlike brick-and-mortar pet stores, online websites that sell puppies offer a broad range of options. This is something that North American consumers can appreciate, which is why they agree to buy online.

Watch out and spread the word!

 

Puppies For Adoption Near Me Scam: How To Report

Warn your family and friends about the Puppies for Adoption Near Me Scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:

Report To The FTC Here

 

How To Protect Yourself More

If you want to be the first to find out the most notorious scams every week, feel free to subscribe to the Scam Detector newsletter here. You'll receive periodical emails and we promise not to spam. Last but not least, use the Comments section below to expose other scammers.


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selma hrynchuk
Selma HrynchukSelma is a fraud prevention specialist renowned for her expertise in private eye investigations and a remarkable partnership with law enforcement agencies. Beyond her investigative triumphs, her public speaking engagements and written works have empowered countless individuals to protect themselves and stay ahead of deceptive schemes. Selma's legacy shines as a tenacious agent of change, unyielding in her commitment to battling fraud and ensuring a safer world for all.

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