Attention: Buy puppies online

“bulldog-french-puppies. com” is one such shop. Adorable puppies are offered there, even with papers. A French bulldog costs 900 euros. But be careful: you won't receive a puppy despite paying.

Finally the time has come. You get a puppy. The first way to find a suitable four-legged friend is to go online. However, you should observe the animal protection law. This prohibits the sale of animals on the Internet! Registered breeders are excluded from this. We'll explain to you how to recognize them and what you should pay attention to when buying a puppy!

Puppy trading on the Internet: This is how the scam works

A fraud victim described her experiences with bulldogge-franzosische-welpen.com in great detail:

Contact and purchase conditions

An inquiry at bulldogge-franzosische-welpen.com is responded to very quickly:

Hello, thank you for your interest in our French Bulldog puppies. We have outstanding puppies raised with exceptional love right under our roof. All of our puppies are registered and come with all certifications. They have received their vaccines with several deworming treatments. Above all, we have a moderate price compared to other breeders. Our puppies are very healthy and ready to join their new families. We charge €900 per puppy. Let us know where you are and when you would like the puppy.

The fraudulent breeders assure that the puppies are registered, certified, vaccinated and dewormed. The message also shows that the animals are raised very lovingly in their own four walls. This creates trust and the victim agrees to the purchase. A contract was promptly sent. You don't even have to pick up the dog yourself. The breeders organize the transport. It's not really clear where the dog comes from, only that it will be delivered by plane. An additional 350 euros must be paid for this. The amount will be transferred. The breeders confirm receipt of payment and arrange for the puppy to be transported.

Transport via a fake transport company

Now an invented shipping company comes into play: “skylinkglobaldelivery.com”. The fraudulent breeders are also behind this supposed transport company.

Victims of fraud receive an order confirmation email and tracking number from the shipping company. In addition, another monetary demand is made: 1,650 euros for insurance and 1,080 euros for an “electrically ventilated box”. Apparently this amount will be refunded.

After this request from the transport company, the victim turned to the breeders. They agreed to pay part of it, as the amount would be refunded anyway.

No dog, but more demands for money

The receipt of payment was confirmed by the fake transport company. The victim waits with anticipation for the puppy, but it doesn't arrive. What arrives, however, is another demand for money from the transport company:

Dear customer, after confirming payment, we tried to sort out the situation so that your puppy can be delivered, but we discovered that your status has been put on hold, which means you will have to pay in order to receive the To reactivate the puppy's flight extra for feeding, shelter and veterinary care. Her puppies were also given a 6-way canine puppy syringe vaccine. The system now requires a new payment of €960 for the above. Note that this money will be refunded since you have already paid the insurance, which will also cover the reimbursement of any additional costs. You need to sort this out as quickly as possible. Thanks management.

Only now does the victim realize that it is a scam. The money is gone and the dream of the dog is shattered.

This fraud is called advance fee fraud (also scamming). Victims pay in advance for a specific service that doesn't even exist. The criminals keep inventing new reasons why further payments are required. Of course with the promise that the money will be paid back. The demands for money continue until the victim recognizes the fraud. The money is usually lost.

How do you recognize dubious breeders on the internet?

• The website has no imprint.
• The puppies are offered cheaper than from other breeders.
• You should pay before a viewing or there will be no viewing at all.
• The puppies are z. B. delivered by plane.
• The breeders have many different breeds.

Tips for buying puppies online

• Make sure you have proof of breeder and sales permits. Only registered breeders are legally permitted to sell online.
• Avoid importing from abroad.
• Inspect the animal in advance.
• Break off contact if the animal is to be handed over in a parking lot or backyard or delivered by carrier.

Consider it:

Since April 21, 2021, EU animal health law has prohibited private individuals from having animals delivered to them from abroad. 

Have you paid?

• Break off contact and don't pay anything anymore.
• Check with your bank to see if there is a chance of getting the money back. But experience shows that it is lost.
• Report this to the police. To do this, take all data (email traffic, account details and telephone number of the criminals, screenshot, etc.) with you to the nearest police station.

Source: Watchlist Internet

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