What Do I do About a possible Scammer?
 

Hi everyone,

I have a question, and I am sure that most of you who have ever researched or posted for breeders before have seen this, however it never ceased to amaze me! I posted a thread on the "For Sale/Wanted" forum because my husband and I are trying to find a yorkie needing a re-home in VA. I got a response from this one lady offering me 2 puppies, for $200. According to her, that was all she was charging me because she couldn't keep them anymore and really wanted them to go to a nice home. After I had emailed back and forth a bit and told her about our family was when she decided to tell me what the cost was. Keeping in mind now, that every time I emailed her, I asked her where she was located and what she was asking for each puppy, and pics. She finally sent me these pictures, that looked like they were copied off of some random internet site somewhere. Then, she tells me that she is shipping them from Camaroon!! I emailed back adn told her that I wasn't interested - I had posted a wanted ad for VA only and that I do not ship puppies, thanks but no thanks. She writes me back and tells me that she is not charging for shipping, the $200 is for the shipping, please get back to her ASAP so that arrangements could be made. Tell me that doesn't sound like a scam?!?!?! We have been looking off and on for a coupe of years now, and the whole reason we stop looking each time is because we start getting more responses from scammers than anything else! Is there any way or any place to report these people? Just thought I would put the question out there. Thanks so much! Everyone here is usually so great with the support and the help!

It sounds like a definite scam to me. There are lots of breeders on this site, maybe one of them can help you with a new pup...good luck.

Sorry about the scammer. You can press the red triangle to report something on YorkieTalk.

Ive been wondering about something like this that has been going on with me. I posted my pups for sale and have been getting several calls and emails (re-directed thru newspaper I advertised with) They ask me to email them back with the info when it was already listed, asking if my "breed" is still for sale and even one went as far as to at first say he was contacting me for a client then when I told him I was not working thru a 3rd party he said oh I decided to get one for my kids. I have even had 3 different calls thru the relay svc for hearing impaired and the caller is asking me to email him with the puppy info and a cashiers check will be sent right out. Being new at selling the puppies I emailed the first guy and got weird emails wanting my information (which luckily I refused to give, the pieces just didn't fit) (i figured this was a way for them to get my email address since is was not listed in the newspaper, they had to email the newspaper, the paper would forward the responses and leave it up to me if I wanted to give them my email info, I fell for it a few times because I didn't know any better, I still dont know what all of it is but I knew it didnt sound right. I now screen the calls and if anyone sounds even the slighest suspicious I tell them I am not interested, same with emails. Does anyone know who these "off the wall" people my be, what they want or who they work for? It sounds like a big scam set up.

Yes it definitely sounds like a scam. You can play with her little brain before you toss her to the trash, or you can call her out on it immediately.

Tell her that you have a friend there that will come and pick the puppies up.

post her name / email address.

She is trying to scam multiple people at a time. If someone google's her email address or name, atleast it will bring them to this forum.

Ye, the Camroon one is A scam. I am glad you did not fall for it. I hope that you will find the perfect little yorkie puppy for your family. It is best to always go to the breeders house and see the parents of the puppies. Then you can see the condions of the animals and ask all the questions you need to with the breeder.
I would never buy a living creature over the internet. However, I know A lot of people that do. Finding A reputable breeder is of the upmost importance in finding A very healthy little yorkie pup. perhaps their are Breeders in your area here On YT that can help you. :aimeeyork

I noticed you have your email address listed on your profile page; this is probably not a good idea. If the person, who wrote you the email, is a member here, report it to admin. Otherwise, there is not a lot you can do. These scammers work, by volume, and the less contact you have with them the better.

:thumbdown We have these in our local paper online
where you see a pretty little babie and of course its a scam
it reads FREE yorkies, Just asking for shipping ! I turn them in every chance i get :mad:

Someone did that to me too... about shipping from Cameroon! I was like... what?

At least the Camaroon one is more obviously a scam. Watch out for anyone wanting you to wire money thru western union. I lost almost a $1000 that way several years ago after my first little yorkie passed I was so lonely for one:(
I never saw my puppy or my money again, I've never told anyone that happened, not even my DH, I was so embarrassed to be so scammed. This guy promised me the cutest little puppy, probably stole the pic from some one here:mad:

OMG!! I got conned in the same scam once. i sent $ and I sat at the airport for abour 3 hours waiting on a puppy that didnt exist. then the person had the nerve to call me and ask me did i recieve the puppy. I was like uuumm no and I want my $ back. she then said she was going to call me back. the the so called "airport" in Cameroon called me saying that I need to send more $ for an incubated crate. they kept saying your precious puppy is here waiting for you just send the $ so you can have her. I didnt send another dime. I was pissed.

I had it happen to me also
 

I have gotten two calls and the first one I emailed them the info then I got this message back from them Quote:
Thanks for getting back to me,i will like to inform you that am purchasing the (pup) as a birthday present for my wife,i will be very much happy if you consider the (pup)* sold to me.The reason I am sending you this email is to make final reconfirmation of (pup)*which is ok by me,and also to let you know that payment will be by certified cashier's check or money order. In view of this I need you to email me any informat ion that may be required to send the payment as I do not want to send the check or money order to a wrong location lest they get into the wrong hands.Regarding the shipping, I have a company that takes care of the pickup of my consignments for me and ship to my destination in new jersey anywhere in the U.S.A, you do not worry about shipping, the company will send down a representative to arrange the sales documentation and the pick up from your end for onward transfer to my destination.I also want to alert you on the fact that you will be receiving an overdraft check, which will cover the money for the pickup (pickup and shipping to the final destination) as well as the money to be paid to the company that will take care of the pickup and the documentation with you So please, as soon as you receive the payment, go and cash it immediately, deduct the money that accrues to you, and send the balance to the Head Office of the company that handles the shipment via Western union.The check will be in your name to make it easier for you to receive payment, please reconfirm your details one more time.I will give you the details of the company that will be shipping the (pup)* as soon as we seal this deal.Once the money is received by the agent , the shipping agent will contact you immediately to arrange the documentation as well as the pick up immediately. So in view of the above, here are some of the details I will need for final issuance of the ch eck or money order to you.

(1) Full Name
(2) Mailing address, no p.o.box please
(3) your direct telephone number both home and cell.?
{4} Acceptance of my offer
(5} Final asking price
Once you get back to me with all the above, the check or money order will be issued out immediately and it will be sent to you .Hope to hear from you immediately.Looking forward to your swift response i will also be offering you extra $50 for keeping the (pup). for me till the shipper comes for the pick up..NB, I will be looking forward to your swift response
..
Regards
Joe
UNQUOTE
His e-mail address was joekerry60@yahoo.com
Then today I got another relay call and I told them I would not email them and I would not ship my puppy. Their name was Cook

I'm sorry, but that's definitely a scam.

That is similar to what happened to me on my very first what I believe was a scam call. I had advertised in on US.Buy.Sell for this area (that is where I found my baby girl and figured it would reach more people) and I received a call thru the relay system (the person calling me was hearing impaired) He explained he was looking for a puppy. He asked me thru the relay service to email him so we could talk easier and I could give him the info about the puppy. I emailed him the next day to talk with him further, I asked several questions to him because I wasn't going to sell any of the puppies to just anyone. He avoided most of the questions and right away asked for my home address, ph # etc so he could have all the info to send a cashiers check. He also said he would be paying extra to me to cover shipping costs and to send the amount he paid over the puppies cost back to western union to cover the driver. Now these pups were only a few weeks old and I wasn't letting them go until at least 10wks and I clearly told him I wasnt shipping puppies and I even offered to drive it to him if his disability limited him from driving. He only responded by asking for home address, ph# etc again. (I DONT THINK SO, but what the heck, game on)so I played interested then at the very end also asked him how could Western Union receive money and just stick it in an account for several weeks for a driver that didn't even have a schedule for pick up. It just wasnt adding up. He didnt answer of course but he then tried to tell me he was having a driver pick it up along with a farm implement in this area. and I responded with 2 words, "Not Interested", and I didn't hear anymore from him. I did receive a few generic emails (directed from USBUYSELL) asking if I had my breed for sale still and to email them with info, and 2 more calls thru relay that once I asked where they were from on the ph and I wouldn't ship, they were no longer interested and disconnected the call. I dont know who these people work for but its kinda ironic all of them had just about the same "lines" to use. Not only Buyers Beware, but Sellers Beware also.

UNBELIEVABLE!!! I guess this really does happen to more people than I thought. I have to say, Cameroon has not been the only place we hav heard from, but the overseas ones have always raised a red flag for me. Like I said earlier, that was the whole reason I wanted to post on this website. I thought my chances of getting in contact with a real breeder was better on here than searching randomly on my own online. I guess this goes to show it's everywhere really. It was mentioned earlier about my email address being listed - Funny thing was, she contacted me through my thread I posted on this website, and then asked me to contact her directly at her email address, so that is where all of the conversations took place. Luckily I kept them all! So, can someone tell me then how to go about reporting her and her email address? How do I report it also so that as someone stated earlier, when she is googled, it comes up as a scam? This was the whole reason my hubby and I stopped looking a while back - we got tired of trying to be scammed every turn we took. FORTUNATELY, a breeder contacted me on my thread with a retiree (SHE's SOOOOO CUTE TOO) that she is wanting to re-home and we have been chattng quite a bit these past few days, and it's looking like I will have my new baby some time in February!!! I am SO EXCITED!!! Yeah me!

I have to say, I LOVE having you all to talk to about these things! It's nice to know there are others that support you in things in your life, even if it is only cyber support! LOL!! :)

Im glad I went with my gut. I just googled the guys name from the story above and he is listed on callercomplaints.com along with others that went thru the relay. There ought to be a way to throw these people behind bars. Heads up on the people I believe were scam calls and scam emails.

*NORBERT CRAWFORD, ??? Hensley, (went thru relay system for hearing impaired),
* emails (3rd party from another site)- John Holt Jr., Larry Brown, Maria Kleb, Eva David.

Hope this helps someone out there.

I had the same kind of calls. Where do you report these

scammmm!!!!

where did you find this post?
if it was here, i'd try to pm the admins
if it was on craigslist or something id make a post warning people

Cameroon Scammer
 

I had posted a few months back on YT looking for breeder referrals in NJ and Cameroon posted within a few minutes offering a puppy. Another YT'er jumped in and called them on the scamming and that was the last post I saw in that Forum.

Unfortunately there are some creepy, dishonest people out there.

Actual Email from Cameroon Scammer
 

OK, so this is the actual email I got from her - I copied and pasted directly from the email itself. Please read this and tell me this doesn't sound like a scam to you??? I had emailed her telling her about me and my family and why we were looking for a yorkie etc. and this is what she is going on/referring to below. Also, when she asked for all this info, she made it a point to say in the email: "Oh, and we are Chistians. Are you a Christian?"
For anyone out there looking, her name is Mellisa Vicky and her email is Mellisavicky@yahoo.com. If anyone else can help me or tell me how to report to admin., that would be great.


thanks for your soonest respond.first . i must say that we are so excited to let Milo and Banly to your loving home.We trust you so much now that you have assured us a loving home.We have choose you as the new parent of Milo and Banly .Milo and Banly would get along well with your family.

To tell you a bit about my self,i am 29 and i am expecting my first baby .I got married 2 years back and we are so happily married.I have been with dogs all my life as my Grand Father was a breeder.i usually go there on holidays and would spend much time with the animals and house pets there.I got Sadie as a result of my wedding.Milo and Banly mother was given to me as a wedding gift.their mom put them to birth and then pass out.so i have been with Milo and Banly.
We traveled to Cameroon on research base .we are out to carry out biological research on the bark of tress in Cameroon.they country is good in wood and some of the trees serve as medicines.we would be in Cameroon for 7 months months before coming back .
So Milo and Banly would be shipped to you from Cameroon where we relocated to and it shall take just about 5-6 hours to get to your location.

They would be shipped to you through France Airlines.They would be shipped along side other puppies an would be well taken care of.The shippers offer door step delivery and also they ship to your nearest airport.this puppies would be coming with all their papers,toys,clothing and blankets.They will would also be coming with a hand book for their up bringing.All we are interested in is a loving and caring home and you have promised us that,and that is the reason why we want you to accept this babies into your lovely home and take them as your new family member's.i really count on you if you can be there for them.

it really hurts to let them go but we have to for their own good.
Thanks and email back asap.
God Bless.

:confused::confused::confused::confused:

Wow, apparently this happens a lot! I just answered an ad in our local paper yesterday offering 2 free yorkies (no other info given, just an email address) and today got a response from someone claiming sorry I am too late but the puppies had to move to africa with his family as they are doing christian missionary work. but they are afraid for the dogs safety yada yada, so if I want I can pay to have them shipped back. Too bad I gave them my cell phone and email address. Now I am creeped out, and angry, because not only are they exploiting our love of animals and trying to steal our money, :mad: but they are doing it in the name of Christ. Who I happen to think will pay them back one day. :) But still how do we stop others from getting victimized now?
BTW my scammers email is rkennethmax@gmail.com I bet he isnt in africa.

Camaroon Scam
 

I have also received several e-mails from a couple in Camaroon. I'm attaching the email so you can see.

M G ,Your home sounds loving and perfect for Milo and Banly.thanks for your soonest respond.i am Faith the wife of Penn i must say that we are so excited to let Milo and Banly to your loving home.We trust you so much now that you have assured us a loving home.We have choose you as the new parent of Milo and Banly ....Milo and Banly would get along well with your family.

To tell you a bit about my self,i am 29 and i am expecting my first baby .I got married 2 years back and we are so happily married.I have been with dogs all my life as my Grand Father was a breeder.i usually go there on holidays and would spend much time with the animals and house pets there.I got Sadie as a result of my wedding.Milo and Banly mother was given to me as a wedding gift.their mom put them to birth and then pass out.so i have been with Milo and Banly..
We traveled to Cameroon on research base .we are out to carry out biological research on the bark of tress in Cameroon.they country is good in wood and some of the trees serve as medicines.we would be in Cameroon for 7 months months before coming back .
So Milo and Banly would be shipped to you from Cameroon where we relocated to and it shall take just about 7 to 8 hours to get to your location.

They would be shipped to you through DLA Airlines.They would be shipped along side other puppies an would be well taken care of.The shippers offer door step delivery and also they ship to your nearest airport.this puppies would be coming with all their papers,toys,clothing's and blankets.They will would also be coming with a hand book for their up bringing.All we are interested in is a loving and caring home and you have promised us that,and that is the reason why we want you to accept this babies into your lovely home and take them as your new family member's.i really count on you if you can be there for them.

it really hurts to let them go but we have to for their own good.
Thanks and email back asap.
God Bless.
Faith & Penn.
""The Lord directs the steps of the Godly ." Psalm 37:23 http://gfx2.hotmail.com/mail/w2/emoticons/rose.gif


I almost fell for this scam!! I was prepared to send them $300.00 until I accidentally ran across this forum.

Rene in Alabama


---

OH MY...Can't say I am surprised, but that is almost EXACTLY what she wrote to me! And he idn't even change the dog's names!!! I'm glad you came upon this - that's one of the reasons I posted it. the other reason - I want to find out how to stop this lady! I am looking for suggestions from the people here.

What absolute creeps...you know they are sitting in some third world internet cafe just like all the other scammers trying to bilk old people out of their life savings. I saw a show about that on one of the dateline type of shows. Turns my stomach...:mad:

Here in South Africa we have a website called Gumtree, which is very similar to Craigslist. It is very popular.

I found an ad for Yorkie puppies on Gumtree and contacted the seller. I asked for an appointment to come see the puppies and some questions about their age, registration, and parentage (I used to be a Collie breeder, so I know a bit about buying/selling registered dogs). Nothing in the ad indicated that they were not in the Cape Town area (Gumtree, like Craigslist, has regional sites).

The response I received did not answer any of my questions, but offered me two pups for slightly less than double the original price, and indicated the pups would be shipped to me from the States! Who ships little puppies half way around the world? The flight from New York is 18 hours!!

The prices quoted were ridiculously low for the US (although fair for South Africa). When I wrote back and said I would never purchase a puppy sight unseen, that I wanted to see how it acted with its siblings and take a look at the dam, and asked again for an appointment, I got no reply.

I thought about contacting Gumtree to tell them this is a scam, but how do I prove it? Should I let them know my suspicions anyway and let them handle it their way? Or just be glad that I knew the right questions to ask and what the responses should be?

I am so sorry for what you went through! I almost got caught in something very similiar just yesterday! My 2 kiddos and myself have been saving up for a Yorkie for almost a year now and we have been looking and putting out a few feelers here and there but haven't had any luck finding one near us since we are so remote so I started looking further abroad and shipping a pup in. Well I got an email yesterday from an address I didn't recognize and even double checked my sent folder to no avail. However this person got ahold of my email address they knew what we were looking for and offered a small female, sent pics that I am sure now were stolen off the web but were what we were looking for in facial roundness and cobiness of body ... said they would sell her to us for $600 if we promised to love and spoil her and send pictures to them monthly. Claimed the pup was 8 wks old show potenial and potty trained. Promised airline would deliver to my door and pup could be here tomorrow morning if I went to WalMart or a grocery store today and wired the money. Thankfully I caught a lot of the little errors in their first and second emails so by the time they finally gave me a name and partial address I knew it was a scam and googled them. I couldn't find any other reports on them doing this with a Yorkie but there were several complaints about this person scamming people with $300 cell phones! We are so heartbroken that we still have no lead on a pup but very very thankful we saw the situation for what it was before I sent our hard saved money to this scammer.
Please, anyone contacted by Patricia Radulescu, North Ridgeville,OH 44039 email address of greenlight44@hotmail.com be very very careful. This person is not legit!

Mel