A new form of this classic internet scam. DON'T WIRE MONEY FOR PUPPIES and check out the breeder with local clubs. If the price and story seem too good to be true -- they are!!:
From: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07282/823941-338.stm#
Nigerian puppy scam can be Web of deceit
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Stephanie Wegman wanted a puppy, and the cash-strapped college student thought she had found a bargain on the Internet.
The senior at Santa Clara University in California exchanged e-mails with James Moore, who was offering his puppy free to a good home because as a missionary recently assigned to Africa, he was too busy to properly care for his long-haired Cavalier King Charles spaniel.
Ms. Wegman could have the puppy if she promised a loving home and sent $300 to cover shipping, Mr. Moore wrote in an e-mail.
Ms. Wegman, 21, of Redwood City, Calif., sent her $300 by Western Union. But instead of shipping the puppy, Mr. Moore sent her another e-mail saying there were "problems" and she needed to send $600 for "shipping insurance." Her demands for a puppy or a refund have been met with another e-mail from Mr. Moore, asking for more money.
Ms. Wegman was a victim of the Nigerian Puppy Scam, which has been crossing the country for more than a year. Much of the fraud is transpiring on the Internet -- e-mails sent directly to consumers or puppy ads posted on legitimate Web sites. Some of the scammers are buying classified ads in newspapers, including the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
A Google search for "Nigerian Puppy Scam" turns up more than 200,000 "hits." Warnings abound on many Web sites, including the Internet Crime Complaint Center and sites and e-mail lists of interest to dog lovers. Warnings have been sent out by the American Kennel Club and the Council of Better Business Bureaus.
The puppies are often advertised as having AKC registration papers. Duped consumers complained to the AKC, as do legitimate breeders who say pictures of their puppies are being e-mailed to people who answer ads for free or cheap puppies in Nigeria and other African countries.
"They apparently pull pictures off legitimate Web sites," said Daisy Okas, AKC vice president of communications. "It started out with bulldog puppies."
That breed was a canny choice for a scam, since bulldog puppies generally sell for $1,000 to $3,000. Because bulldogs have big heads, wide shoulders, deep chests and narrow hips, they have small litters that generally have to be delivered by Caesarean section. That makes the dogs difficult and expensive to breed.
Ms. Okas said while many of the ads are still for bulldogs or English bulldogs, Yorkshire terriers are also featured prominently in fraudulent ads.
In the ads, puppy prices are very low or are advertised as free to a good home. People who respond are asked to send $300 or $500 just to cover shipping. After people send money, they are then asked to send more.
"One lady was told that when her puppy was shipped the plane crashed and they needed money for veterinary bills," said Alison Preszler of the Council of Better Business Bureaus in Arlington, Va. Steve Cox, vice president of communications for the council, said consumers can be duped by a scammer's sincerity.
"But then the fees for shipping the pet mount up and the consumer can lose hundred of dollars before realizing they've been conned and will never get their puppy," he said.
Neither the council nor the AKC is aware of any arrests or prosecutions.
Not everyone falls for the scam.
Barbara Carnes of Pleasant Hills contacted the Post-Gazette after responding to a puppy ad that ran recently in the Post-Gazette.
"The ad said 'Adopt Me' and it was for a bulldog puppy," Mrs. Carnes said.
There was no telephone number, so the couple responded to a Yahoo e-mail address.
"We thought we'd make arrangements and go see the puppy," Ms. Carnes said. "A man e-mailed back to say he was a missionary in West Africa."
Mrs. Carnes had never heard about the Nigerian Puppy Scam, but she thought the price of the puppy was too good to be true.
That ad was pulled from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette after Mrs. Carnes reported it.
First published on October 9, 2007 at 12:00 am
Anyone who has experienced a dog-related scam should report it to the local Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org) or AKC Customer Service 919-233-9767. Linda Wilson Fuoco can be reached at [email protected] or 412-263-3064.
From: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07282/823941-338.stm#