Another Scam involving Yorkies

I posted ads all over the internet about my stolen Yorkie puppy. Many people have responded, not with news about my missing Penny but about how sorry they are for my loss. I received an email from a gentleman (and I use the term loosely). He said he had two Yorkie pups that he wanted me to HAVE. All I would have to pay is the shipping costs and I would have a male and female set of siblings...registered, current on shots, all that I would need to replace the hole in my heart where Penny should be.

After several emails with this fella, who never gave him name or location, I asked for pictures of the pups. He obliged me with a photo of each, calling one Precious and the other Lilia. This did not strike me as odd at first. When I went to save the photos of these little characters, it auto named the photos Easter and Eddy. My suspicions grew.

I hit right click and clicked on properties for the photos, knowing that they would tell me where these photos originated (as they were not sent as attachments, I knew they had to be something that was already uploaded onto a site). And there was the additional proof that I needed to know i was in the process of being scammed. The pictures did in fact link to a site: www.dog-bows.com. But there were no photos of dogs other than those who were modelling bows and hair ties. With another click I found that they were part of a parent-sub-category within the site, not something that others would have access to regularly.

I began looking at the different photos, as they were not thumbnailed, merely titled. I can see where he would have had some trouble finding a photo here, but managed to find two side by side.

I responded to this fella, asking him if he could provide me with some information about himself: Where he was located, a phone number where he could be reached...HIS NAME. He has yet to respond.

His original email said that he was so saddened by my loss and was looking for a good home for his two puppies. He travels a lot and his wife was the caretaker of the pups, but she has long since passed. He said that I would only be required to pay $90 per dog for the shipping costs. This would include all their paperwork and a suitable crate should I choose one or both pups. He began to explain that the pups are 14 weeks old and in perfect health. He explained that the shipping costs were flat rate and that the puppies would be delivered right to my door within a week of receiving the shipping payment from me. He also explained that he was from the Northern Region of some country.

Let me just say, I have not sent a dime. I would love to have these two puppies, but my guess is, they don't actually exist.

I guess the lesson here is this:

If it sounds too good to be true, it more than likely is too good.

AND

Be on your guard even in the grief and mourning you may be dealing with, there are sick people out there who prey on people in such a state. We are prime targets because we are overwhelmed with emotion and not thinking correctly. Be aware...if you hurt, there are those who don't care if they hurt you some more.