Too Good to Be True? It’s a Puppy Scam

Name: Sally
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: English Bulldog
From: London, England, UK
To: Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Hi PetRelocation,

I want to buy a Bulldog and was quoted from the sellers that I would only have to pay $500 including the shipping, can that be right? I'm nervous about doing this transaction. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Sally

Hi Sally,

Thanks for the question, it sounds like you're right to be worried -- this definitely seems like a scam. Here are the red flags:

• It's an English Bulldog. This is a popular and adorable breed, and many puppy scammers choose this type of dog to tempt people.
• That shipping fee is way too low. In reality it would cost much more to ship a dog internationally (our rough estimate for a move like this would start at around $2500 USD).
• It sounds like you aren't personally acquainted with the sellers, and doing business with unknown parties is inherently risky, that's all there is to it.
• Are they asking you to wire the money? Definitely a scam.

Please read more about puppy scams on our blog (and check the comments, too -- you'll see you're not alone in accidentally interacting with fraudsters). Unfortunately this happens a lot, but by doing some research and checking with professionals before making any kind of payment, you're doing what it takes to avoid becoming a victim.

Hope this helps, Sally. Good luck with everything, and if you're still looking for a pet, please consider dealing locally and/or adopting a pet from your local shelter!