Teacup Yorkie Scam

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by gracielove

This "tea cup" puppy rage is so out of control. The scamers are coming out of the woodwork to take advantage of people who think they want a cute tiny little dog. There is no such thing as a tea cup dog. They are the offspring of prematurely born puppies that are then bred with other prematurely born dogs. They are riddled with health problems and very delicate little creatures if they do survive. A Yorkie is supposed to be 4 to 7 lbs. No one needs a dog smaller than that. However, there are many who will try to sell a very young puppy and say it is actually older than it is. The puppy then matures at 8 or more pounds and people are disappointed.

There are all kinds of scams out there. Buy from an honest breeder that knows how to breed genetically sound dogs.

The term "tea cup" can be used by anyone trying to sell a tiny baby...there is not a definite weight attributed to the word "tea cup" because it is a arbitrary term ....it usually looks like a "tea cup" is a baby that people want to weigh 3.5# or less. Breed standard stipulates weight range not to exceed 7#...the minimum weight has been removed. "Tea cups" are the runt of the litter, when a reputable breeder is involved. We all occasionally have small babies in a litter, a runt, and a reputable breeder will not refer to this as a "Tea cup", but as a "runt" or just a "baby that is smaller than the siblings". This reputable breeder will either keep this tiny little dogs, or be VERY selective and careful who this baby goes to. Now these Korean sites that have this consistant supply of "tea cups" may be doing something deliberately in order to continue to get these tiny dogs.....but a tiny little female will not be able to even carry a litter of pups, so I am not sure "premature babies being bred by premature babies" is what produces these tiny dogs....even a premature baby that has lines behind it that throw large dogs, is going to produce large dogs. I WISH I knew how in the world these sites continously churn out these tiny little dogs....there is a secret to doing it.....we cant fix it until we know what is being done, how it is being done....however it is being done, it HAS to be genetic, and not a circumstance of birth. I am even concerned it may have something to do with genetic engineering or manipulation. Scary stuff......

[gracielove]

This article describes one of the ways they are producing these little creatures:
Teacup Puppies– All the rage Bailing out Benji
I'm sure they must have other methods. We see so many here on YT that fall for the line that this is a "tea cup" only to find they end up with a 9 to 15 lb dog. I'm sure these breeders think that putting two small dogs together will naturally produce even tinier puppies, which is very untrue.
I have read many sad stories of people who were tricked into thinking they were getting a tiny dog and were disappointed. I also see the numbers of discarded poorly bred supposed "tea cups" going into the shelters daily. It is to a large extent the fault of dishonest breeders but I also blame the media that promotes these dogs as well as the people who think having a tiny dog will be a fun and fashionable adventure.

[FoxxysMom]

I agree Gracielove, I see so many ads saying we just don't have time for him or her then they show you a 10 pound 9 month old Yorkie. I think they had no idea it would not fit in their purse and decided to get rid of it. Sometimes in the pictures you see a smaller dog next to the bigger Yorkie but it isn't for sale. So sad.

[MRSamelia]

my husband just went through this! i'm furious yet, the puppies names are "Timi & Tia" please reply back to me. did you ever get your money back ? please please please reply ! my name is amy.

Originally Posted by devo1250

On 3/12/12 I learned of a site that a woman (?) had set up concerning the adoption of two teacup yorkies named Hailey and Eddie; two adorable 12 week old puppies. She stated that she could not take care of them or give them her full attention due relocating to a new job as a veterinarian I learned in Texas at the end of this scam. I emailed her of my interest in adopting the male if possible, if not the male I would be interested in the female. She never stated actually where she lived in texas nor would she give her telephone number where I could reach her in person. She emailed me a list of questions such as was I married, did I have kids, had I adoped a puppy before, would I take care of the male or the female or both, how soon did I need this puppy home, was I a breeder, did I think on breeding the puppy, could she have my telephone number and where was I located. I returned her email answering all her questions. I then asked her a couple of questions such as how soon would she make the decision on who would receive the puppies? Where did she live and how will the puppies be shipped or was it possible to pick-up the puppy in person? Last question was had the puppies been checked by a veterinarian for liver shunt? She never answered three of the four questions. I then received a email from her on 3/14/12 stating that she would shipped the puppy Eddie from Texas and that the cost of delivery would be $200. She stated that in order to make a successful delivery arrangement for him, I needed to supply her with my full name, full address, state, city and zip code, phone number and the nearest airport; which I email her this info. She stated that she would get everything together including his toys, crate and other accessories and his paperwork and then register him at the delivery agency; and, I would be contacted by the delivery agency on how to make payment for delivery and that delivery would be fast and reliable and the puppy would get here in Washington, DC without any problem. This afternoon I check my emails and there were three (3) emails sent entitled Registered E-Mail from the Texas Pets Transporters Agency - Customer Service - Cargo Dept. - Animal Transporters Branch, Texas USA - Customer Services No. 011237-99446858 - email if the numbers ar busy or no answer because of too much work! Then it stated that "We have information about a female Yorkie Puppy (by the name Haily)from Mrs. Lianna Lizzy, her email address is (liannalizzy@yahoo.com). This puppy was registered here about an hour ago and need to be delivered over to Tri-Cities Regional Airport today but we are sorry that we can not carried on with the transportation unless the sum of $200.00 is paid. The puppy is now at Pets Transporters agency. We will like you to go over these information below carefully to make sure this puppy is delivered to the the right address: the information given was in Greek or something; the only thing I could understand was the name of the state Tennessee and zip code 37601 and telephone number Area Code (423) 557-9461; when I had my sister call the number the lady stated that it was an incorrect number. This email went on to say that a company named Global Animal Transporters would be handling the pet's move. The Payment of the total fund was to be paid through Western Union or Walmart (Money Gram) to an address - Headquarters in Cameroon to be forwarded from there to the Texas Animal Transportation Agency Headquarters using the following address: Names - Tikum Francis; Country - Cameroon; State - Littoral; City - Douala; Address - Airport Road moliko street 7 akwa; Zip - 00237. Ending note stated that The tracking number and flight details of your puppy will be given to you when payment is done as well as a flight receipt so that in case anything happens you are 100% sure you get back your money. "We treat your pets like royalty!

This only insures me that people will use anyone or anything such as adorable pets to scam people of their monies. My faith in people such as these only give testimony that rats and snakes still come in human form also. I am a retired, disabled senior citizen of 63 years who only want the companionship and love that a pet gives unconditionally. I chose these teacup Yorkies because I am familiar with them, my sister has two teacup Yorkies (Sophia and Bishop) and I love them and decided that I wanted my own teacup puppy. As I stated I am retired, disabled and live on a fix income but am able to take care of Yorkie puppy. So to all who are thinking of trying to obtain one beware of the scammers!!!!

Devo1250 in Washington, DC

[hobbette]

I think I talked to the same person. Same deal almost exactly, except the puppies were her dead daughter's, and she couldn't bare to be around them. It seemed kind of off so I told her I thought we would be able to pick them up instead of shipping them, and never heard from her again.

[Prince Toby]

I too was almost scammed by a person with the same exact name. I figured out it was a scam when they said the puppies were free and I would just have to pay for shipping. I told them I was not interested in having the puppies shipped,and I never heard back from them. Some people just do not have a heart.

[MRSamelia]

how can i report them? i had just emailed the "lianna Lizza" lady and she's basically giving me the same bull she gave to my husband. and then i told her i would drive to pick up the puppies and she replied saying that it was ok so i asked for her number and address and i got back a " i don't even know you, why would i give you my information"? yet she can ask me all other personal questions?! i'm curious to know if there's anything we can do to get our money back because my husband thought it was legit until he went to the airport to pick up the puppy (twice) and it was hard for him to get out of work giving the fact that he works @Fort Bragg Army Base Active Duty. &We Basically Lost Almost $1,000. Which was our entire savings. please reply back someone. PM me. Thanks Alot ! AMELIA

This is the website i went to.
but when she emailed me , the names of the puppies she had were completely different!

TOP QUALITY MALE & FEMALE TEACUP YORKIE PUPPIES FOR ADOPTION

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by gracielove

YTCA can set their standards as they wish but if a breeder wants to win in the ring they had better be within the AKC standard. Each breed has their own clubs but when they are in an AKC sanctioned show they have to abide by AKC standards. I don't think YTCA is encouraging tiny dogs by not having a minimum weight but are more engaged in other descriptions of the breed. 20 years ago I doubt anyone imagined that a "teacup" rage would break out in the toy breed category.

I think you have it backwards, the YTCA sets the standard, and the AKC is the registry that the YTCA has chosen. The AKC does put on the shows, but they have nothing to do with setting the standard, except for legal issues. A lawyer from the AKC has to approve of any changes to standard that the YTCA does.

Also, the teacup craze isn’t new, I heard about t-cups in the 60’s and one of the first Yorkies to win best in show was a 3 pounder in the 1920’s. Weights use to be divided into two groups, one for Yorkies over 5 pounds and one for not exceeding 5 pounds.

From 1877 to 1896 the classes provided for the breed were divided by weight. Classes were offered for Yorkshire Terriers over 5 lbs. or Yorkshire Terriers not exceeding 5 lbs. Unlike England no weight limit was given for the over 5 lbs. weight class. As was true in England at this time there were many Yorkies being shown in the classes for “not exceeding 5 lbs”. History of the Yorkshire Terrier by Joan Gordon

It has been the better breeder that has learned that breeding a 5 pound yorkie is not safe, so weight has gone up over the years, it’s just a few greeders who insist on breeding the tinies. Most breeders who offer “teacups” for sale, use the word to mean “toy”, and their dogs are often bigger than 7 pounds, and they aren't interested in entering shows.

[MandiesMom]

Originally Posted by MRSamelia

how can i report them? i had just emailed the "lianna Lizza" lady and she's basically giving me the same bull she gave to my husband. and then i told her i would drive to pick up the puppies and she replied saying that it was ok so i asked for her number and address and i got back a " i don't even know you, why would i give you my information"? yet she can ask me all other personal questions?! i'm curious to know if there's anything we can do to get our money back because my husband thought it was legit until he went to the airport to pick up the puppy (twice) and it was hard for him to get out of work giving the fact that he works @Fort Bragg Army Base Active Duty. &We Basically Lost Almost $1,000. Which was our entire savings. please reply back someone. PM me. Thanks Alot ! AMELIA

This is the website i went to.
but when she emailed me , the names of the puppies she had were completely different!

TOP QUALITY MALE & FEMALE TEACUP YORKIE PUPPIES FOR ADOPTION

I didn't want your plea to get lost in the other discussion going on in this thread. Hopefully, someone will have some advice for you. I'm so sorry this happened to you and your husband.

All I can say is what I would do, I would go to my local police dept and tell them what happened...bring along any emails and/or receipts you have..anything that has transpired that you can print and have on paper. The local PD probably won't be able to do much but they can advise you on any other course of action you might can take.

Unfortunately, sometimes, it ends up that there is no course of action and you are just scammed and out all of that money. This is why these terrible people do this stuff...because the can get away with it.

Good luck to you and your hubby!

[concretegurl]

If anyone is scammed please contact the FCC they will at least direct you to the correct reporting agency as well they keep record of these issues...sometimes just for statistics but still.

[KimInMD]

Oh Hon, I'm so sorry that you have been scammed. Sadly, we see this happen pretty regularly. You'll want to report this to the FBI. They have a special division for internet fraud exactly like your case. I really doubt that you will get your money back at this point, but they would be your best shot. Puppy scamming is not listed among their most common complaints. The more that people report this, the better the chance it will become a common complaint, and it will alert others before they too are scammed. Please stay with us, and make some new friends. I'm believe that someday you will have the Yorkie of your dreams. Hugs!
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Home

[Trettig]

I am glad I found your site. I may well have gotten scammed. There is a posting on Craigslist Ohio. Same thing as the others on here. Free if you pay to ship male and female, 13 weeks old. Map on site was of Sandusky Ohio but when I contacted them they said they were in Bethany Beach Deleware. Names were Lydia and Dandelion, 13 weeks old. email they gave was steveanmike@gmail.com. I told them I had contacted Uship to arrange to pick them up and have not heard back from them. My kids are pretty upset but Ill chalk it up to a good lesson on not believing everything you see online. Hope this helps someone!

[sampsongc]

Originally Posted by Trettig

I am glad I found your site. I may well have gotten scammed. There is a posting on Craigslist Ohio. Same thing as the others on here. Free if you pay to ship male and female, 13 weeks old. Map on site was of Sandusky Ohio but when I contacted them they said they were in Bethany Beach Deleware. Names were Lydia and Dandelion, 13 weeks old. email they gave was steveanmike@gmail.com. I told them I had contacted Uship to arrange to pick them up and have not heard back from them. My kids are pretty upset but Ill chalk it up to a good lesson on not believing everything you see online. Hope this helps someone!

I have seen these type of ads around for years now. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

[maxdog]

Originally Posted by sampsongc

I have seen these type of ads around for years now. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is.

This all too true