Puppy Scam - Lost $1500

Ljm03 on 15/01/2022 - 08:47

Hey guys and gals,

So, long story short: I tried to buy a puppy online and was scammed out of $1500.

My bank (ING) just sent me a text yesterday to say that they were unsuccessful in trying to recall the money I bank transferred to the "breeders".

It turns out that this was a sophisticated scam where they had stolen the identity of a woman and made it seem like I was dealing with her.

I reported it to the local police (Victoria Police) which was a waste of time because they just said to report it to cyber.gov.au.

Cyber.gov.au sent me an email to say that NSW Police are investigating the matter.

Anyway, I want to know if any of you guys/gals have any ideas for how I can get my $1500 back?

Kind Regards,

jm03

Pets

Comments

  • MrDad9000 on 16/01/2022 - 10:44

    Scams are everywhere unfortunately.
    Here is one that is still active on facebook marketplace; a modern caravan on "sale" for $9000 - it's worth about $40000. My wife sent it to me, quite excited - but searched for the email address listed in one of the photos and lo & behold one of the links os to an article about online scams.. if it's too good to be true..
    https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/234632158696133/?r…

    https://www.theguardian.com/money/2020/may/04/fraudsters-use…

    Banks are your best option to try and claw back the funds - see if they have a financial crimes compensation process; usually on credit cards I believe.

  • The Value on 16/01/2022 - 11:26

    Very common scam in Australia.

    ABC News
    https://youtu.be/p5f8dZj0dbg

    Man charged
    https://youtu.be/0p6pjJ12Isg

  • Justbenice on 16/01/2022 - 11:36
    +2

    I’ve never had to report anything as stolen, I’m not sure of the procedure, but if the police at the station you visited did not make a report, what’s to stop you from going to a different station? Or several stations? From what I’ve read on other forums, different stations have different levels of ‘service’, even varies officer to officer. (Not negging the police, maybe different stations are busier than others, have less time for fraud type crimes?)

    Anyway, if it were me, I would visit at least another police station if possible and try again to make a report. If I can get some paper work, that allegedly makes it easier to chase up with the bank, if not I would seriously consider going to the media. ABC have links on their site for story ideas.

    I’m so sorry you’re going through this, it’s doubly gut wrenching for you because 1) they stole your money 2) you didn’t get the friend you thought you would and have been looking forward to for so long. Don’t beat yourself up about it, it could’ve happened to any one of us, no matter how diligent.

    • Maxxiz on 16/01/2022 - 13:06

      You raise some valid points however at the end of the day, making a report isn't going to get the money back.

  • RatBargain on 16/01/2022 - 11:50
    +1

    Breeders are sex traffickers and pimps

    Pets are commodities which turn into bribed companions

  • Diji on 16/01/2022 - 12:30
    +1

    One more reason to adopt, I suppose

  • [Deactivated] on 16/01/2022 - 13:22
    -3

    Looks like the solutions solved, you got scammed, such a great day.

    • Gervais fanboy on 17/01/2022 - 21:23
      +1

      Aren’t you just the nicest..
      I hope punching someone down like this, finally makes you somewhat good about yourself. 👍🏻

      • [Deactivated] on 18/01/2022 - 12:14
        -2

        Another complainer defending their mistakes.

  • BAM51102 on 16/01/2022 - 14:30
    +2

    Plenty of dogs waiting for a home for small fee.
    https://www.petrescue.com.au/listings/search/dogs?interstate…

  • Wayne7497 on 16/01/2022 - 14:57

    What breed of puppy?

    • jm03 on 18/01/2022 - 07:29

      Cavoodle…

      King Charles Spaniel crossed with Toy Poodle…

      • chrisd262 on 18/01/2022 - 16:11
        -2

        all oooodles are just scams sold on scumtree - by filth back yard breeders to the most stupid of people!!!

        • HerpinDerp on 18/01/2022 - 16:18

          Calm down. No need to get triggered over dumb schit.

  • Sidog on 16/01/2022 - 15:32

    The only way you’re getting your money back is to run a $1500 online puppy scam… or just move on with your life and take this as a relatively cheap life lesson.

  • souths123 on 16/01/2022 - 15:35

    it's gone, unfortunately

  • 2esc on 16/01/2022 - 16:54
    +1

    Personally with any pet I feel a person should see the animal in person first. Each animal is different and you may have a better connection with one pup over another. You can also see the condition of the animal, also the environment it is being raised in and a feel for the seller. If you buy sight unseen it nearly feels like the animal is going to be a fancy accessory to your life not a member of the family.

    • Jolakot on 16/01/2022 - 18:45

      Yeah and you'll never get a puppy with that mindset in the current environment, even home-breeders want a deposit of at least $500 straight up, and there's a queue behind you for the same dog if you don't

      • 2esc on 17/01/2022 - 10:02

        This must be in the city because any day of the week in Wellington, east gippsland or latrobe Shires in Victoria you can see the pup before buying and pick up straight away. Not just my experience but I know others who have and have not paid a deposit before seeing the dog.

        • Jolakot on 17/01/2022 - 14:10

          How long ago was that?

          We've never paid a deposit for a puppy before our last, but the crackdown on backyard breeders in 2019 combined with the surge of demand from covid meant that it was a race just to get your deposit in before someone else does for in-demand breeds

          But it might just be a city thing, we spent 4 months last year looking for a lab/golden puppy but capped the search at ~100km out of Melbourne due to restrictions at the time. Hearing the same thing from a friend looking for a hypoallergenic breed at the moment, no one will talk to you unless you've got a deposit ready

  • djmm on 16/01/2022 - 18:08
    +1

    Just use this as a sign to adopt something from shelter. At the very least, out of this bad experience, you'll change one dog's life for the better. I'm sure you'll love it.

    • jm03 on 18/01/2022 - 07:31
      +1

      Yes, good idea

  • drfuzzy on 16/01/2022 - 18:54
    +1

    You won't get the money back.
    Get a senior dog from the RSPCA. It will appreciate you did.

  • dpan on 16/01/2022 - 19:40
    -7

    I found a puppy for 1.2K through Gumtree. The breeder came to my cafe with a puppy in a crate for inspection. She gave us her address and everything. I was doing this for my niece because her mum (my older sister) doesn't want to spend 8K in Singapore. My wife and I have carefully examined and inspected a puppy (check the rib to see if it is very skinny but he's very healthy) and gave a green light to my sister. Then she contacted the breeder to discuss further.

    Now a puppy (border collie) will be flying to Singapore on Jan 21 after it has the second vaccine and he's good to go.

    My sister saved 4K. You know SIngapore is always expensive.

    • Vool on 17/01/2022 - 01:25
      +2

      Who in Singapore has space for a border collie? It's mostly high density apartments.

        • KaTst3R on 17/01/2022 - 09:43

          As someone who lived in Singapore before, most Singapore apartments (including the modern 4 BR ones) very small unless you have a $20 million 300 sqm penthouse in the heart of Orchard Rd or Marina Bay. The Border Collie will feel very space constrained there. It is quite rare to see a medium size dog coming out of an apartment complex.

          • dpan on 17/01/2022 - 18:28
            -1

            @KaTst3R: I have seen a Golden Retriever coming out of the building (my apartment in NSW)…..

            • gromit on 17/01/2022 - 18:57
              +3

              @dpan: A golden retriever is no where near the energy and exercise requirements of a border collie. It is like comparing your average person to an elite athlete.

              • dpan on 17/01/2022 - 21:49
                -1

                @gromit: Well, I am a strata committee member, and i know the other members will say no to GR to live in the apartment cos it is a big dog. Even the GSD has been disapproved by the committee, not me (I approved).

                • gromit on 17/01/2022 - 21:53
                  +1

                  @dpan: Well if they say no to a GR then a border collie should be an absolute no. A border collie will go insane in an apartment.

        • niyiaw on 17/01/2022 - 09:49
          +7

          A border collie in any apartment is ridiculous. It needs a yard to run around in. Did anyone even research what a border collie is and what they were bred to to? The poor dog is going to end up a neurotic mess.

          • KaTst3R on 17/01/2022 - 11:36
            +1

            @niyiaw: The niece needs it for her mental health but poor dog's mental health.

            • JesseN9 on 18/01/2022 - 00:43

              @KaTst3R: Niece needs some weed

              • KaTst3R on 18/01/2022 - 00:44

                @JesseN9: Not in Singapore. Punishment is too harsh. But i would say, there are other alternatives to getting better mental health.

                • JesseN9 on 18/01/2022 - 00:44

                  @KaTst3R: Or some sexual healing

                • gromit on 18/01/2022 - 09:03
                  +2

                  @KaTst3R: I don't think torturing an animal is good for anyones mental health. There are plenty of medium and small breeds that are appropriate for apartment living, Border Collie is not one of them.

  • tharlow on 16/01/2022 - 21:19

    I feel for you, OP. These days almost anything can turn out to be a scam, so one has to always be on one’s guard. However, most people are genuine. I’m about to get a $63 million cut from a Nigerian Prince escaping persecution, so sometimes you get lucky — even when it seems too good to be true. I’m just waiting for the final paperwork to clear, but it feels good to help out a fellow human…

    • jm03 on 18/01/2022 - 07:34

      Haha, thanks for your compassion mate :-)

  • lew380 on 17/01/2022 - 09:27
    +4

    You should have told the police that they weren't wearing masks, that would have got them to go and do something.

    • tharlow on 17/01/2022 - 10:15

      Doubt it. Hypocrisy is the Australian Government’s middle name. They’re too busy arresting tennis stars to do any meaningful work. Always three steps behind our criminal innovators…

      • lew380 on 17/01/2022 - 12:51
        +1

        Tbh, I have more respect for common criminals than the government, at least a criminal will see justice at some point.

    • jm03 on 18/01/2022 - 07:34

      Lol

    • Blackadda on 18/01/2022 - 09:47

      No if you could back door their website and say something about andrews govt and protests they'll be right there to arrest them.

  • DrScavenger on 17/01/2022 - 09:36
    +2

    Wow some people are about to say "good riddance" just because he dared to buy a puppy. Tf is wrong with some people?

    • tharlow on 17/01/2022 - 10:17
      +2

      Two words — disability pension. It irks people so when they find out people can survive on minimal resources, instead of doing the obviously “right thing” by society — walking into the desert to desiccate themselves

      • jm03 on 18/01/2022 - 07:36

        The only reason I could afford to buy a puppy is because I'm living with my parents and don't pay rent, food or bills. My parents won't let me pay.

        Otherwise, I would be very short on money if I were living on my own…

  • SnakeCasablanca on 17/01/2022 - 10:25

    "Sophisticated scam" <> "I gave money to someone online that I did not know and for which their were no reviews and no one had recommended them to me"

    Sorry it happened to you of course. If it makes you feel any better. I work in the industry and people lose $100k+ in similar scams. So you learned this lesson relatively cheaply.

  • Maglia Nera on 17/01/2022 - 12:05

    reminds me of the way too good to be true "insert high value item here" offers on Facebook

    a brand new iPhone 13 Pro Max for 62% off
    a new pair of Ray Bans for 73% off
    cheap Nike Jordans for 80% off
    etcetera etcetera

  • GoIdDigger on 17/01/2022 - 13:56
    +3

    Amazing how many people here would like to remind you that you made an error and that you shouldn't have, rather than suggest ideas to help

    • ntt on 17/01/2022 - 15:18
      +3

      suddenly everyone is an Asian parent, tough and sht….

      apart from that, I experienced myself a young lady came to my then money transfer service to transfer big lump of money to buy her imagination dog which stucked in Singapore, waiting for her to release the fund. Despite I tried to explain her and ask her reasonable questions, she nearly cry, looked me like I'm the one who gonna killed her imaginary dog. That make me felt guilty for a day.

      So people, when it comes to pets, it's easy to have emotion which scammers use it to scam you, be aware and ask yourself questions like is it too good to be true, any evidence to support what scammer tell is true and google or research before pay anything

    • jm03 on 18/01/2022 - 07:38

      Yes, exactly.

      I already know what I did wrong. I don't need some 22 year old keyboard warrior to tell me that…

    • slyjd1 on 18/01/2022 - 17:40

      No only that, but berate OP because they wanted a puppy and didn't opt for a rescue dog.

      • GoIdDigger on 18/01/2022 - 17:42
        +1

        Absolutely. The grandstanding was on full display with this one

  • Looking4Bargians on 17/01/2022 - 16:11

    Was it Mary Toma ?

  • Looking4Bargians on 17/01/2022 - 16:21

    I enquired about Beagle online and someone was saying $700 whereas other genuine is asking around 5k. I had a little chat on message but she was not willing to send any current pic holding the puppy or video chat. Keep saying I am in-country and have medical conditions. Those were the red flags. Since then.. if someone says puppy around $1000, that is a scam.

  • lawlieta on 17/01/2022 - 16:47

    i'll bet any amount of money you will not get your money back

    • Poolprouk on 17/01/2022 - 18:08

      Interesting, what proof would you accept to pay out on the bet if the OP claims to have been refunded? Asking for a friend…..

  • bigbadboogieman on 17/01/2022 - 19:36
    +1

    Your bank can't do a charge back?

    Edit: no card payment involved. Voluntary bank transfer therefore chargeback not possible.

  • Raj09 on 18/01/2022 - 00:39

    Sorry to say. It's going to be tough to get the money.

  • jm03 on 18/01/2022 - 07:39

    I will persist.

    I will hound my bank until they relent.

    • Baysew on 18/01/2022 - 14:36
      +1

      You're barking up the wrong tree.

      • jm03 on 19/01/2022 - 08:22

        Funny.

  • Blackadda on 18/01/2022 - 09:44
    -1

    This is unfortunately too common.
    The well intentioned animal liberationists got the govt to stop pet stores selling puppies in a bid to stop puppy farms.
    So now you have to go direct to the unorganised rabble that are breeders which makes it ripe for scammers and unethical breeders to prey on people.
    Paying a deposit up front seems to be a requirement to reserve your pup in the litter and excessive demand over supply during covid has meant it is almost impossible to find a pup.

    Most the actual breeders are poor at communicating, probably don't have a website etc .. .so you need to go through registered breeders for the relevant breed's association… it has also meant it's easy for people to set up backyard breeding and sell a few pups at thousands a piece.

    Why I can't walk into a pet shop and have them order a puppy from their connected breeder networks is beyond me.

    • JesseN9 on 18/01/2022 - 12:12

      Because unfortunately most pet stores were doing the wrong thing… but not all.. but secretly I think it was a Network of breeders who made it happen so now we are forced to pay their ridiculous prices and for some no name "designer" breeds which would have been called mutts in the 90s

      • Blackadda on 18/01/2022 - 16:05

        I'm all for not having puppies on the shop floor.
        But this doesn't mean pet stores shouldn't be able to be the middle-man for the sale. This would allow people to deal with a shop front, ensure there is an appropriate middle person to vet the quality and accuracy of the breeders pups and reduce scams.

        • jm03 on 19/01/2022 - 08:22

          I agree.

          This is exactly why it's taken me so long to decide to get a dog.

          If pet shops were the middle men then you'd know that you're dealing with a legitimate business.

  • shaybisc on 18/01/2022 - 12:41

    The last time I bought a dog was way way back when, although relatives have dumped a few on me since then. I got a copy of the RASKC journal which showed litters born and breeder details. You would pick one out, give them a call, then go and have a look. They all seemed to be in places like Kenthurst and Dural.

    But I see now that this is the newfangled way of doing it.

    https://www.dogsnsw.org.au/

  • saltysalt on 18/01/2022 - 13:31

    Lots and lots of puppy scams like this going on during covid. Had a friend who almost got scammed by a guy claiming to be selling for his father who just died and it was all pretty convincing. Best way to check is reverse image search the photos, but usually if you're even wondering if it's a scam it probably is.

  • liongalahad on 18/01/2022 - 15:27
    +1

    Personal experience, I bought a puppy online 2 years ago, I was very suspicious from the start as the woman contacted my after seeing my comment on a facebook group. Her price was very reasonable compared to others and I assumed form the start she was likely a scammer until proven wrong, I asked for her breeder registartion number, contacts of all kind (home address, business address etc), copy of ID's, multiple references of previously sold puppies, and kept contact with her with weeks, receiving continuous updates, photos and videos of the puppy etc. On top of that I have "stalked" her all over the internet, finding other old ads form her and photos of her with other dogs etc until I was convinced she was honest and sent her the deposit, only after receiving a vet certificate, which I have followed up with a phone call to the vet.
    So it turned out she wasn't a scammer after all and received my puppy.

    • jm03 on 19/01/2022 - 08:20

      Nice.

  • Bigredkeg on 18/01/2022 - 18:41
    +1

    People are so harsh on this forum.

    This exact scam happened to my dad about 4 months ago, he was trying to buy a dog for my sister out of the goodness of his heart as she was struggling with the pandemic, and unfortunately trusted someone a bit too hard. The scammers had a tasmanian based phone number, send you kennel registration id's, and have an ANZ bank account and Australian Name.

    Unfortunately my dad isn't well versed on the net and very savvy so didn't pick up on the obvious clues.

    Its frustrating because my dads funds went from an ANZ account to another ANZ account, and this bank account is still up and running. Therefore ANZ seem to be providing no due diligence with their accounts. A family member of mine works for Commbank and there is way more security and fraud checks in place with large transactions, including flags on accounts when large sums go in and out of an account instantly (as is the case with what these scammers do).

    I wish the banks would have more responsibility or more procedures in place. I know the responsibility does lie on the individual, but a lot of older people don't have the skills or internet experience to pick up on everything, and scams get more and more advanced.

    • jm03 on 19/01/2022 - 08:19

      Yes, absolutely right.

  • Kentrolla on 18/01/2022 - 18:46
    +3

    Sorry for your loss OP.

    In the future, use a reputable site like dogzonline.com.au to get in touch with a breeder. Set up a time to meet the breeder and see the pups in person first.

    • jm03 on 19/01/2022 - 08:17

      Thanks, man.

      I will look into that website and follow your sound advice :-)

  • trapper on 18/01/2022 - 19:35

    Crazy that a puppy can cost so much in the first place, these breeders are making a fortune.

  • bigtom_999 on 19/01/2022 - 01:08

    Sorry about the scam OP!

    To be honest, I would have guessed a domain called dogzonline was a scam too, but apparently that's obvious to many people here.

    Good luck with the bank! Keep at them.

    • Kentrolla on 19/01/2022 - 11:52

      Nah they are legit. Plenty of reputable breeders on there.

      The wife and I managed to get in touch with a golden retriever breeder all the way in Yass (we're in Sydney).

      Organised to meet them and the puppies when they were 6 weeks old to pick one. Got interviewed by the breeder to make sure we're a good fit for the pup (home conditions/space/time etc). Very smooth and easy process.

      A good breeder will care about whom they sell to.

      We also paid the breeder in cash on the day. Even though she was okay with a transfer. Makes it easy and safe for both parties.

  • JulieWoOF on 28/01/2022 - 09:45

    OMG! is this really happening? We've been looking for Staffy for ages and it's so weird how the readers during covid do not allow you to see the puppys, sending photos is ok but unless you get to meet it has to be a scam right. Anyone else experienced this?

  • morse on 28/04/2022 - 08:18
    +1

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-28/victoria-police-arres… Is this your scammer OP?

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