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Sadly, there seems to be an ever-increasing number of Internet
scammers preying on just about everyone. Well, dog lovers
and breeders are no exception. There is a scam currently
running full-force that targets dog breeders, and you should
definitely be on the lookout for suspicious communications.
Here's how it works:
Someone contacts you and says they are interested in a puppy.
They may say that they are contacting you directly, or that
they are an agent of another person. Either way, they are
typically outside the US. Furthermore, in the emails I have
seen, they seem to refer to the puppy in an odd way, such
as my employer is interested in "PUPPY" that
you have for sale. Obviously, this is your first big
red flag.
The email then states that the author or their "employer"
would like to send you a bank cashier's check, or certified
check, that is significantly in excess of the amount you
are asking for a puppy. They want you to pay them back the
difference in cash. I've seen several explanations for this...
my employer has pre-authorized this check amount,
or the remainder is for shipping, so please pay that
amount to my shipper when he picks up the "PUPPY."
At any rate, the bank cashier's check that these scammers
send is counterfeit, but it is such a good counterfeit that
you can probably cash it at your bank. Only after you have
paid the "difference" to the scammer, either in
person or by wire transfer, does your bank find out that
the check is counterfiet. At that point, your bank will
hold you responsible for the total amount of the check.
In some cases, someone has actually arrived and picked up
the puppy, and of course who knows what fate the poor puppy
meets. In most cases, though, all the transactions are handled
via wire or mail, and at the very least, no one ever shows
up to get the puppy.
This is a terrible scam, but it should point out a few
things...
1- If you are extremely careful where your puppies go, find
out everything possible about the home they are headed to,
and really get to know the person or family, then you'll
never have to worry about this scam at all.
2- There was a time when a bank cashier's check or a money
order could be trusted. Not any more... counterfeiters are
slick.
3- If something sounds fishy, IT IS.
Here is a scam letter I received recently. If you receive
one and would like me to post the email address of the sender,
I'll be GLAD to. Also, if anyone knows of any sort of federal
investigation into this matter, or any other place that
emails of this sort can be forwarded to, please let me know.
I just left poor McMurphy hanging...
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FROM: safetypin@fastmail.us
DATE: 06/08/04
SUBJECT: payment and shipment
Hello , How are you doing? I got your e-mail now.
I will make the full payment for the puppy which is
XXXX dollars,as for the shipping,i already have a
shipping company who will come and pick up the Pupy
from you. But i have something to tell you about the
payment. I will instruct my business associate in
North America to send you the cashier's check.He will
be sending you 2500 dollars. When you cash the check
at your bank deduct the money for the Pupy and please
kindly wire the remaining to my shipper who will come
for the pickup of the Pupy.I will want you to start
preparing the documents of sales,for the Pupy as my
business associate will be sending you payment. Can
you kindly send me the Name you want on the check,
and the address you want the check to be sent to.
I will be waiting to hear from you. I also need a
working phone number i can reach you on. Have a nice
day. Regards Mc Murphy
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Be careful, do only what you can be proud of, and breed
with love, knowledge, dedication, and selflessness.
Steve Price
SteveP@QualityDogs.com
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