By the Scampilot team · Last updated
A seller advertises a purebred puppy, kitten or other pet far below the usual price, but always finds a reason not to meet in person. After you pay a deposit, new fees appear - a special shipping crate, pet insurance, a travel permit - and the animal never arrives. The photos are often stolen from real breeders or generated by AI.
You find an irresistible listing - an expensive breed offered cheaply, with adorable photos and a warm, personal story. The seller will not video-call or let you visit, claiming they have moved away or that the animal is already with a shipping company.
Once you send a deposit, the demands escalate: a refundable crate rental, mandatory pet insurance, a customs or vaccination fee. Each payment is described as the last one, but the pet does not exist and never ships.
People shopping for a pet are emotionally invested and excited, which makes it easy to rush past warning signs. Families wanting a specific breed for children, or buyers hoping to save money on a costly animal, are especially drawn in.
The scammer mirrors the trust people feel toward animal lovers, and the staggered fees feel small next to the joy of a new companion. By the time doubts set in, several payments have already been made.
The clearest sign is a refusal to meet the animal or do a live video call before paying. A price well below market value for a sought-after breed is bait, not a bargain.
Watch for fees that only appear after a deposit, and for requests to pay by gift card, cryptocurrency or instant bank transfer. A reverse image search of the photos often reveals the same animal on many other sites.
Always insist on seeing the animal in person or on a live video call where the seller follows your instructions, like holding a paw up. Buy from local breeders, recognised shelters or rescue organisations you can verify.
Never pay deposits or surprise fees to someone you have not met, and avoid irreversible payment methods. If a deal feels rushed or too good to be true, walk away - there are always other animals needing homes.
Our little French Bulldog puppy needs a new home! He comes with all papers. We only ask a small rehoming fee. We have moved abroad, so he will be sent by a pet courier - please cover the shipping crate fee of 250 euro and the pet shipping insurance first.
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