Scammer approaches advertiser at PetFinder.com
17 Responses to "Pet scams targeted at individuals"
Below is the attached email from Kim (with details excluded). We agree with her observation about the diversion and focus the shipping rather than the dog, which is the main subject of the transaction. The buyer seemed to show very little interest about the dog, but is rather eager to deal with the 'shipment' and 'funds' asap. The shipment company that comes with the free email address is certainly very fishy. In any case, we find that the lost of focus and diversion to a shipment company is suspicious, even if the email address is not from a free email service. Lastly, the purpose of using a check is because the scammer expects her to send the money to the 'shipment' company before it can be cleared.
This is the 3rd mail we received regarding pet-related scams so far, so we hope that others will find it useful.
Kim - tks for sharing.
----Attached Email----
From: Kim
Subject: Report Scam that is targeted at individuals
This is the 3rd mail we received regarding pet-related scams so far, so we hope that others will find it useful.
Kim - tks for sharing.
----Attached Email----
From: Kim
Subject: Report Scam that is targeted at individuals
Below is the dialog that I got from a Yahoo user in response to my posting an ad on PetFinder.com for my dog.
This was a targeted FRAUD scam directed at me because I posted a PetFinder.com adoption ad for my Dog.
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From: ken joeleen [mailto:ken_joeleen1@yahoo.com]
Subject: ADOPTION
How are you doing ?I hope the pet is doing great .i want to keep the pet in my loving home.i will offer $300 for the pet. i have a fenced yard and i will take good care of the pet as well payment will, payment will be issued with a check or money order. The payment will bear the cost of the pet plus shipping cost which will be included in the payment.All you need to do is that as soon as you recieve the payment,you will deduct the $300 and then then contact the shipping company inorder to send the remaining funds to the shipper.here is the email of the shipping company globalshippingcompany07@yahoo.com for the remaining funds. that will enable the shipping company come for the pickup of the pet right in your destination without any stress. The funds sent will be the shipping cost.This simply means that you will not be paying the shipping company from your pocket . If you are okay with that kindly forward the name , address and your contact number to issue and send the payment as soon as possible.I'm willing to grant the pet the best in my home.a doctor will be coming together with the shipping company so that they can assure that the pet is okay.. A welcome party will be organised for the pet as soon as it arrive my home and some pictures of the pet with my family will be taken and some copies of it will be sent to you as well ....Hoping to hear from you as soon as possible.
Nb
kindly email me the name ,address and your contact number to issue and send the payment.
________________________________________
"Kim" wrote:
Ken,
Hi, my name is Kim, and Snoopy is my dog.
Snoopy is currently on Iams Large breed dog food. I also feed him a little popcorn (he catches the pieces as I throw them to him). And he likes pizza a lot.
Do you have a farm or house?
If you are still interested, after seeing him, write me
back.
Thanks
Kim
________________________________________
From: ken joeleen [mailto:ken_joeleen1@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 05, 2007 10:17 AM
To: ken_joeleen1@yahoo.com
Subject: ADOPTION
Hi,
How are you? I just saw the advert of your pet on petfinder, i am happy to tell you that i am interested in the adoption.I reside in illinois [ Preoria ] at the risk of sounding too rude i will be glad to know the ask asking price and if i will be allowed to make an offer that will be appreciated as well. I will be glad to know the present condition of the pet , Are you the owner, the type of food it takes. And i will be happy to view the pics of the pet if available. Hope to hear from you.
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17 Responses to "Pet scams targeted at individuals" 
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said this on 29 Jul 2007 3:40:14 PM CST
I received the same email for a pet I had listed on Pet Finder. I thought it sounded suspicious since they asked nothing about the dog...only the cost. The email was from ken_joeleen11@yahoo.com. I did not respond to the email. I instead googled his name and found this posting.
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said this on 01 Aug 2007 1:23:06 PM CST
Thanks for your interest in my puppy. The puppy is still very much available for adoption. Her name is Katie and she's a beautiful little girl. Great coat - full and fluffy,ears starting to stand,good conformation. Healthy,playful and loving. she is 10weeks old, weigh approximately 1.6lbs about 4lbs range as adult. Would make a wonderful companion. Brought into our home, loved and socialized with people and other pets. The best possible care in raising, Vet supervision,quality food, all vaccination current and regular worming. We are a very selective breeder who breeds for quality. APRI registration with pedigree and sheloves to play around especially with kids. She's AKC registered and shots are given up to date. All the papers will accompany the puppy, the puppy is free as all you could pay me is take care of the baby . She is vet checked,but right now i am in Africa like i already told you in my previous email on a Christian mission with my husband, we have the puppy right here with us. we are going to ship to you via Express Delivery on Next Day Delivery after payment to a shipping agent at the airport, so if you are interested in adopting the puppy, i want you to get back to me with your Full name, Address, Phone # including the nearest Airport to you. Please if you know that you are not going to take very good care of my baby, do not bother to reply me because i am only giving this puppy out because of the bad condition here in West Africa and the missionary work before us here, and we hardly have time to take care of her. She will be going for free as all you will pay for is shipment fee to the the shipping agent i will direct you to, so i will like you to get back to me with your Full name, Address, Phone # including the nearest Airport to you. Attached are some of her pictures.
-THIS I S A EMAIL I GOT..WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?? |
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said this on 23 Oct 2008 1:49:32 PM CST
I received the exact same email from a Rev Reynolds claiming to be a man of God on an African mission. PEOPLE ARE RUTHLESS!
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said this on 23 Oct 2008 3:53:28 PM CST
ive received three different letters all pretty much saying the same think, the first i surmised had to be a scam. money , money ,money was its msg despite whatever i would suggest as a safe alternative for us both, have had no reply since. Ive found two others today 10/23, different ads diferent puppies but all the same msg as you've stated in the email above. I really hate these things, i really want a very small dog and i dont have the required hundreds of dollars people are selling them for, even for $150 adoption fees. i just want to find someone that really has a compassionate heart. I will most certainly give the puppies good care, I miss my baby mac that died and these ads are listed free. Just not approachable, always require shipping. I want to see in person what i am paying for.
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said this on 01 Aug 2007 6:17:44 PM CST
scam. Watch out for those shipping fees and agent stuff. They are fake, so you are sending money to them instead of "real shipping" company. You should only buy puppies from your local shops.
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said this on 25 Dec 2007 8:47:48 PM CST
I received that exact same email. I also recieved an email from mrs. sarah baxter, i. e the ( 419 scam) and i googled her name & here i am lol. People are getting balsy! Great site tho !!!
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said this on 29 Dec 2007 9:13:00 AM CST
Hello Dear,
Thanks for your interest in my puppies,These puppies are ready to go only to a loving home and not a breeding home.They are both up to date on shots and are currently 12 weeks old. I have male and female named Suzie and jackie and are AKC registered,will be coming with their papers........ Well am currently in African trying to get into a football business here and hoping to get to the level of the european team search for football,that has been my dream and i hope it comes true.I came down here with the puppies and later found out that i will be too busy for them and had to get them a new home in back in the state cause i dont feel confortable having Africans adopt my puppies as they wont be able to pick out the cost to take care of the breed,so really want them back in the state asap so i can have the time to search for my dreams.I have given the puppies to a shipper(Malvin) who i know too well also here in Africa.He works for an international pet shipping company here in africa as the head of shippers(its the laggest shipping company in Nigeria), so you can email him at malvinrojas@yahoo.com and get started on the delivery processing,he will provide you with all the informations you need for the shipping,so all you need to do is pay for the shipping while the puppies are free.I have told him about your response on my puppies,so he is expecting your email,as soon as you email him,just keep me posted okay? PRETTY SIMILAR TO THE ONE ON TOP. WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK? ===== Jay: Its a scam for sure!! Who else would try to sell "puppies" from Africa... |
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said this on 13 Jan 2008 5:17:27 PM CST
I listed my puppies in the Indianapolis star (local paper) and recieved two of these replies prefaced by phone calls from deaf people with an operator interpretor. I almost held my puppies for them. Thank you for this post.
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said this on 07 Feb 2008 3:45:51 PM CST
I just received NINE of these emails within hours after posting my adoptions. I got a very bad feeling the second I began reading them-lots of typos, grammatical errors, transparent attempts to look credible,
( an "animal doctor vet", a "christian", "Own a farm" ) the same basic spiels. I was wondering what it was about. Thanks for all your posts. |
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said this on 07 May 2008 5:46:50 AM CST
ive just been scammed out of £220 and am very upset. I knew it was a scam, i even tried to decline the puppy and accused the 'breeder' of being a scam and he told me that he was a christian and would never do something like that. he actually managed to make me feel guilty for accusing him and i payed for the delivery... which never came. never wire any money to CAMEROON it is all fake fake fake!! So upsetting.
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said this on 13 May 2008 7:49:54 PM CST
We received a similar email after putting an ad for our puppies in the newspaper. Got an automated phone message indicating that it was a "relay service" for an impaired person and listed only an email. We emailed and got a similar response - focus on shipping, lots of spelling mistakes, etc. It was very obvious there was no interest in the puppy, just worried about how we were going to get a "CHEQUE" and how we should proceed after that....The email was so poorly written that we knew something was up. They said they would put an extra $100 down to reserve the pup, but never really clarified which pup they wanted, saying they wanted the black pup and then the white male...Email was from maria900@yahoo.com. Do you think this could be a set up for viruses through email, etc.?
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said this on 16 May 2008 6:52:46 PM CST
i just recently have been emailing someone from africa and was about to send payment to them but i got them by asking for the shipping companies name and number, i called it and some foriegn man answered the phone!!!! things were getting wierd so i googled it and i got this article. thank you so much!!! saved me from losing $200!!!
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said this on 30 May 2008 10:10:45 AM CST
same thing happened to me when i posted an adoption for my cat. people are disgusting.
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said this on 20 Jun 2008 4:18:48 PM CST
This is the email that I received.
On Thu, Jun 19, 2008 at 12:53 PM, Robin Langelier wrote: Hello, how are you doing and your pet? Am robin by name and i was able to came across your advert today concerning the pet adoption you posted for sale on petfinder . i am much interest in re_ homing your pet as a companion, i and my family will love to give your pet a loving home and not only a lovely home, also as a member of the family which means the pet will be treated like our child. i reside in utah with my husband and two kids one is 14yrs old and the other is 17yrs old ,we will love to adopt your pet as an indoor family pet . we love pet so much than any other thing on earth ,so please let me know the last asking price and i will love to view the pics if available. payment will be made before shipment and i have a moving company that are capable and experts in animal shipping, they will be the one that will handle the shipping , although i am suppose to come and pickup the pet my self but i couldint due to my work schedule but dont be bothered about the shipping of this pet because the company deals with transporting of live pets across the coast which i have been a witness of, moreso my mode of payment will be in a cashiers check or money order which will include the cost of the pet along with the shipping fees and the payment will be brought to your door by a courier service like ups,dhl,fedex or usps. you can get a hold of this shipping company for more information concerning their shipping service at unitedshipping_freight@rediffmail.comand they made it known to me that the pet will be pickedup right at your door step with out you streesing your self , a vet check will be carried out on the pickup day by the shipers vet doctor. i look forward to hear from you in giving this pet the best home , i await your quick response if you are serious . ___________________________________ |
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said this on 22 Sep 2008 12:31:11 PM CST
Good information that you have put out. Recently, my husband and I placed an ad on petfinder.com trying to find homes for several kittens. All of the replys were from people who live well over 4 hours away. I replied back to these people stating that if the were truly interested, they would come and see the pets first. There was more conversation about shipping than interest in health, living conditions, etc. Thanks for letting all know about these scammers. That will be my only posting petfinder ever!
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said this on 03 Oct 2008 9:24:15 AM CST
I also posted my cat on petfinder.com. I received e-mails from two different persons "interested" in my cat. My ad stated that I wanted to give the cat away for FREE, and both parties begged to pay me. I continued correspondence up until I received the e-mail from the "shipping company." Read for yourself...
From: "grass williams" <grasswill7777@gmail.com> Hello i saw your advert on pet finder and i am very interested in adopting your lovely pet to be part of my family..I will like you to send me their pictures and the price so that i will know the exact one i needed..please, tell me the present condition of the pet..Hope to read from you soon. .Thanks ~I responded, and she responds back~ Hello, How is pet doing today..i am interested in buying the pet..And i will be very glad to adopt this pet as long as you are willing to adopt it to me.i live in Ohio..As for the shipping arrangement,i know of a competent and reliable pet mover company that will come to your door step for the pick up after you might have receive my payment.i will forward your e-mail address to them and they will contact you to fix the date and time for the pick up after you might have receive my payment.i will be sending you cashier check all you just have to do now is to provide me the following information so that i can go on to issue payment. 1:your full name 2:your full contact address 3:your zip code 4your phone number Hope to read from you soon with the required information .. My regards to the wonderful pet.. I Remain ~I tell her that I will drive anywhere in the US to bring her my pet, and then the shipping company e-mails me~ From: "pets movers" <petsmovers247@fastermail.com> ATTN:"Emily Elizabeth Conley Hello We are in receipt of Dr Grass 's.order..We are told that he is buying a pet from you to be part of his family..Please we need a confirmation from you that he is actually a buying a pet from you..Please we also need you to provide us with the physical address of where you live so that we can schedule the pick up date..We will contact you to schedule the pick up date and time for the shipping of the pet upon receipt of the of lovely pet after you might have receive his payment.. For further information,please contact the sales manager. Thank you The Manager ~I e-mailed the following to the "manager" who never replied~ Dear Manager, Before I confirm anything, I need you to confirm a few things. I need to know: Where my pet is being taken What your name is Where you are located A phone number to confirm that you are who you say you are If this is some kind of scam, I will prosecute! Thank you, Emily ~The other "interested" person~ From: "jenny salisu" <jennysalisu5@gmail.com> Hello Companion How are you and your family, Am Glad to inform you that am totally interested in adopting your pet to my large family. My Name is Brent Giblin, we go through your ads that you are willing to adopt the pet out, well we are one of your interester, and i don't mind knowing more information about the pet, well about me, we are a well family oriented and well organised and we are blessed with children, My first son name is Jones Giblin and my Daughter is CeciliaGiblin, So i think being honest and sincere to you will be my priority, I don't mind any fees you want to adopt the pet out, the willing of the family of GIBLIN is to adopt the pet in as our third collegues in our house, our home is well fence and we have a private room personally the pet will be living, well we do reside in HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT. Am a Business Man, While my Wife Is an Philsiolophy, So i think we have nearest Vet Hospital Home in my area to give the pet proper care and nice shot to make the pet happy, so i think i will be happy to make the payment to you and secondly, it's might be stress for you to ship the pet, dont worry i do have well and reliable shipping company that will come for the pet pick up, so i will like to ask the asking price and the recent condition goes like this, 1. How Often Does He/She Eat? 2.How Often Do You Take Him/Her To The Vet? 3. What Kind Of Food Do You Give The Pet? 4.What Are The Recent Condition Of The Pet? 5. How Large Is The Cage Of The Pet? 6. Pls Can You Send Me The Recent Pics Of The Pet? So i will like you to Proceed the answer with the following question, and get back to me as soon as possible and i can't wait to hear back from you and make sure you do answer all this question. Hope to hear back from you Brent Giblin ~I told Brent someone else (the above person) was adopting the pet. He responded~ Good Day, I am so much happy for your prompt response and i promise you that your pet will not be regret the loving home is coming, so to be sincere i don't mind the price or you are not taking fees, i will do what i have and i will make the pet a happy pet. I will be adopting the pet and am capable of any price. I love pet and i can spend most of my time with pet.My house was wood fenced and 8.87fts high, i have enough garden in my premises where the pet can roam about. Considered the pet is coming to a loving and patient home also to the family that value pet most..Concerning the shipping arrangement i will be responsible for that because i have a reliable and competent shipping transporter that will come to your door step for pick up after you might have receive my payment.I will instruct the pet movers to contact you as soon as this transaction continue. I am offering you $50 has compensation. I am satisfy with your details on the pet and i will like you to give me the following details so that i can proceed to payment 1....your full name to be on the check 2....your full contact address to send the payment to 3....your zip code 4.your mobile and land number to reach you.i will expect your mail asap So i do hope you comply with my details and Understand with me that the pet is coming down to a Great Home. Brent Giblin ~I read stuff online about scams. I am not sure why they wanted personal info from me, but I changed all the information on my e-mail account including my login password. Let me give some advice. After you open an e-mail account, change your real address, and change your password monthly~ |
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said this on 03 Oct 2008 10:13:11 AM CST
Personally, I am quite reluctant to provide strangers with my full name and address. If I were to trade with these guys, I would rather ask them to pay me via PayPal since I have one.
They can't do anything much by just knowing your name and address. However, becareful if they send you any file, and make sure you scan them for virus, keyloggers, trojans, etc. This includes picture files. |