Just saw this on another post there is a number to call if you have been scamed.
Heather Police Arrest Woman For Internet Puppy Scam
Customers Never Receive Purebreds
POSTED: 10:42 am PDT July 22, 2005
CHULA VISTA, Calif. -- Elizabeth Rivera Davis jumped on the Internet commerce bandwagon with gusto.
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PET SCAM
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She allegedly started and operated an Internet pet store where she claimed to sell purebred terriers of all types.
Dog lovers from across the country responded to her ads and some sent upwards of $800 to her via Western Union, with the promise the dogs would be then be delivered, CVPD reported.
Police say the only problem was that Davis never shipped a dog. The only dog she has is a family dog, and it's not the breed she was claiming to sell.
Davis did this over 20 times to different people across the country. She would change her e-mail address and mailing address each time, CVPD reported.
Detectives learned Davis was using a Western Union storefront in Chula Vista to receive her payments, and there she used her correct name and cell phone number. This information was all that stayed consistent.
The addresses she listed were to places like empty lots and the library, CVPD reported.
Investigators learned she has been doing this at least since last December. A warrant was issued for her e-mail service, as well as her phone.
Davis was arrested by the Chula Vista Police Department on Wednesday July 20 and charged with 17 counts of burglary and 17 counts of theft by fraud, all felonies.
She is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday July 22 at 1:30 p.m. in department 16 of the South Bay Courthouse.
The alleged victims ordered dogs from as far away as the east coast and Canada. Police say there are probably more victims that police are not yet aware of.
If you believe you are a victim of this scam, contact Detective Tom Halfaker at (619) 409-5487 |