We get many e-mails each day, asking what the scammer gains from these scams. This page explains the variations of the scam, and what they gain from it.

The scammers will get to you one of 2 ways. Either by answering a classified ad that you have placed, or by placing one of their own, and letting you make the first contact.

Responding to your ad

The e-mail claims to be interested in the animals you are selling. They say they will pay by certified or cashiers check. They also claim they will provide a shipping company, and send you extra money to cover that. Note: This type of scam attacks all online sales - not just animals. For instance, on carsoup, they will send the same one and change "puppy" to "car". Otherwise, it is all worded the same.

You agree to their terms, and the Check is sent. When you receive the check, you deposit it in your account. Then, you write a check from your account to the shipping company. Several weeks later, your bank discovers the original check was a fraud. The check you sent has been cashed, and most likely you are overdrawn, because you wrote it on the funds they gave you. Now, not only are out the money you forwarded, but your bank charges you for the fraudulent check, and any overdrafts.

Some things to watch for in these e-mails are: Poor grammar, referring to the animals as products, asking what your lowest price + current condition is, claiming to have a shipping provider lined up, and offering to send you funds by money order on the condition that you forward the rest to the shipping company. When dealing by phone, they say they have to talk on the relay system due to slight hearing impairment. They are almost always from another country, specifically Nigeria.

Responding to their ad

Often, the ads are placed in online newspapers. The credit card used to purchase the ad is stolen. The image of that adorable puppy, is also stolen, usually from a reputable breeders website.

The animal used to "hook" you is usually a Teacup Yorkie, Olde English Bulldogge, or monkeys. The first thing we need to understand, is that these are all very valuable, high demand animals. The odds of finding one for Free, or for a very small fee like 200.00, are almost non-existent. This takes us back to the old adage, "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is".

Okay, you have responded to the ad. This can go one of two ways. You will get the same scam from above OR:

The "seller" will claim that she just sold that puppy. However, she does have a good friend, who is very trustworthy. The good friend just happens to have a puppy, very similar to the one you inquired about. Because the original seller did not take any money from you, she has instantly earned your trust. Therefore, if she says the friend is trustworthy, you believe her. There is no puppy. You will be told that you need to send money for a vet check, before they can ship the puppy. If you send this money, then you will be asked to send money to get the puppy through customs. This will keep going on, as long as they can keep you believing in that adorable puppy. The longer it drags on, the more you have convinced yourself, that you love that puppy, and you just want to get her home. You will pay anything to get that done.