The joy and excitement of having a new pet join the family can quickly turn into despair and disappointment if you fall victim to an online scam. A recent case shows how cybercriminals are exploiting the desire for a four-legged family member to mislead innocent people and cause them financial harm.

An expensive dream that has shattered

A 30-year-old woman decided to buy a dog and became aware of an alleged dog breeder in Belgium via an internet platform. She trusted the saleswoman and transferred more than 2,000 euros. This also included a deposit for transport costs. But instead of the new roommate she longed for, she was asked to pay more and more money for transport boxes, rabies vaccinations and travel insurance.

Even though she paid all these additional costs, the dog never arrived. The growing doubts led her to report the matter to the police. Now there is an investigation into fraud.

How does the pet purchase scam work?

Online platforms are often used by scammers to lure potential buyers with pictures and stories about pets for sale. As soon as a prospective customer makes contact, the fraudster begins to build a foundation of trust. To reinforce the impression of legitimacy, they often place high demands on the animal's care and appear to show great interest in the animal's future home.

Once a financial commitment is made, scammers start inventing additional charges. This can be alleged transport costs, vaccinations, special transport boxes or even travel insurance. Buyers are often pressured to pay these costs quickly so as not to jeopardize the animal's welfare.

The Dangers of Online Pet Buying Scams

In addition to the obvious financial loss, pet purchase fraud can also result in significant emotional damage. When the promised pet never arrives, the anticipation of a new family member turns into disappointment and sadness. In addition, fraud can seriously undermine trust in other people and in online transactions.

How can you protect yourself?

Here are some tips to protect yourself from pet buying scams:

  • Be vigilant in communication: If the seller only wants to communicate via email and is not interested in in-person contact, this could be a red flag.
  • Research the seller: Find out about the breeder and see if and how they are rated. Check if the alleged breeder is on a list of scammers and read reviews from other buyers.
  • Check the breeder's documents: If the seller cannot provide the appropriate certification or credentials, it is very likely that the seller is a fraudster. The documents could also be fake, but you always have the option to contact the breed association and check whether the breeder is legitimate or not. To be on the safe side, ask the breeding or cynology associations (Germany: VDH , Austria: ÖKV ) whether the seller is actually a registered breeder.
    On some sales platforms it is also a requirement to show a breeder's certificate in order to be able to offer or advertise animals for sale.
  • Personal contact and visit: If possible, visit the breeder in person. Take a look at the dog and the dog's care and pick up your new pet in person. Here's how to avoid pet transport-related scams.
  • Be skeptical of advertising platforms and social media: Scammers can be found everywhere on the internet, but especially on advertising platforms and social media. These platforms often do not offer any guarantees or protection. Therefore, be especially careful if you find a seller there.
  • Report suspected cases: If you encounter a scammer, stop contact immediately and report the scammer to websites that track online pet market scams. This way you can help protect others from harm.

You can minimize your risk of becoming a victim of online fraud by paying attention to these warning signs and taking the protective measures mentioned above. It's important to remember that an offer that seems too good to be true often isn't. A healthy level of suspicion can prove very helpful in such cases.

Source:

Press portal , Petpedia

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