Puppy scams on the rise as fraudsters play on isolation amid pandemic

Puppy scams are a growing problem across the country as fraudsters look to take advantage of lonely animal lovers during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Better Business Bureau.

Canadians have lost about $300,000 so far this year after falling prey to fake breeders, compared to about $150,000 during all of 2019, the non-profit organization warns.

The bureau and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre have received 364 pet-scam complaints combined, with more than 250 of those reporting money lost — and August as the worst month since the outbreak.

“There’s people all over the country, from the Maritimes to B.C., that are getting scammed with this type of puppy fraud,” said Jessie St-Cyr, a spokeswoman for the bureau.

Red flags include low prices — under $1,000 for a purebred puppy — pressure to complete the purchase quickly and unsecured payment methods such as Bitcoin, gift cards or Western Union.

“The last complaint I saw, from someone in Calgary who lost $2,225, the fake breeder asked the person to pay with Walmart gift cards,” St-Cyr said.

Another giveaway is repeated attempts to draw more money out of the buyer through “expenses.”

“They say, ‘OK, you to need to pay $1,500 more to rent an electronic, temperature-controlled crate. It’s going to be 95 per cent refundable.’ And then for vaccines, for insurance. They’re going to ask for more and more money.”

Buyers can sniff out fraudsters by asking for several references — including the vaccinating veterinarian — checking the creation date of the website of the breeder and transport company, and holding off on payment until having seen the dog in person or by virtual meeting.

The website who.is allows users to input a web address and view the date it was registered. “A legitimate breeder, a legitimate delivery company, is going to have a website that’s well-established for way longer than two weeks or even six months,” St-Cyr said.

Would-be dog owners can also take steps to confirm whether photos of their future family member are authentic by drag-and-dropping a picture into the Google Images search box. “If you see that it’s coming up on different websites, on a lot of classified ads, that’s a big red flag,” St-Cyr said.

She said scammers often cite the coronavirus as a reason to avoid in-person meetings and are trying to exploit people who are seeking companionship amid the isolation of the pandemic.

“People, because they are at home, are going to think, ‘I have time to take care of a puppy. This is the best time to adopt one,'” she said.

“Some people are lonely when they are confined at home. Not everybody has the chance to have family and friends around. The scammers are really taking advantage of the situation.”

Waterloo Regional Police said Friday a 24-year-old woman had been arrested in Cambridge, Ont., in connection with a puppy scam that saw 10 victims respond to an online ad featuring baby French bulldogs.

“When the buyer requested to see the puppies in person, the seller allegedly stated that due to current COVID-19 and physical distancing restrictions, no viewings were allowed. The victims transferred the money, however never received their puppy,” police said in a statement that announced several fraud-related charges.

Customers searching for a purebred canine can check the Canadian Kennel Club to confirm the breeder is listed, said Marilyn Burleson.

Demand for her Yorkshire terriers, which she’s bred for 21 years, has surged over the past six months.

“It’s ridiculous,” she said. “I probably get five phone calls a day, and that’s not counting emails.”

Some dog seekers come to Burleson with “nightmare stories” of being defrauded of thousands of dollars.

“One woman phoned me, she said she’s been scammed three times,” said Burleson.

A complaint filed to the Better Business Bureau on Aug. 13 stated a loss of $4,519. Another from July 9 claimed $3,500.

While some victims hope for a new pup to play with, others are trying to fill the void of a recently deceased best friend.

“I know that people are lonely,” Burleson said. “The people that I feel sorry for are…just trying to replace their companion that they’ve always had.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2020.

Christopher Reynolds, The Canadian Press