Dogs and Puppy Scam Reported at Gumtree Classifieds


Please bewarned if you are searching for a pet at Gumtree classifieds. The following alerts were posted at Gumtree. One of the posters sent out a post to warn fellow surfers that the pets and dogs listed on the page are all scams. In particular, he pointed out the scammer's nick is "Exeter".

Pet Scam at Classifieds

Some of the posts include:

beautiful Siberian Husky puppy for good home
Super Bichon Frise Puppy Ready For Adoption.
York Shire Terrier Puppy For Adoption Now.
well champion siberiab husky puppy for adoption.
healthy golden retreiver babies for a good home.
Swee Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Puppies For Sale.
adorable Siberian Huskies for sale
Pedigree Springer Spaniel puppies ready end of January

It is quite frustrating to see that the site adminstrator for Gumtree is not doing anything about the scammer.


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Comments (16)

Said this on 6-26-2011 At 05:13 pm

They were paid $700.00 in October and the balance in April including interest on the full amount. I did not change or open a new website! It has always been www.mystiquefurbabies.com. I couldn't pay for the service so it was removed for several months. It is now up and running. I did not go 'out of business' for a few months. I couldn't afford to pay to advertise anywhere online during that time. I have informed all involved that the refund has been paid in full including interest that would have acrued. More information at: www.complaintsboard.com about this situation and comments from some of my happy, satisfied clients. Every one of the testimonials on my website is from an actual client. A lot have been removed due to lack of space.

There are many reputable breeders selling puppies online on their own websites and paid advertising sites. Some are even in what we have labeled 'puppymill states'. Remember: 'If it sounds too good to be true it usually is'. 'You get what you pay for'. 'Trust your gut'. All of these old sayings are sound advice we've heard for years but seem to forget about when we think we're getting 'the deal of a lifetime'.  I've learned a lot from this situation and I will definitely be very cautious when selling a puppy from now on. 

Steve
Said this on 6-1-2011 At 07:56 am

They seem to have shifted to bonded pair of Parrots "free" for adoption with shipping $840US.  I have found both Hyacinth and Scarlet Macaws being offered.  Thanks for tipping me off.

jeff marshall
Said this on 4-22-2011 At 10:50 am

I would like to clear Bev thomas name And apologize for all the grief and inconveniences I have caused her and also state that Bev Thomas is not a LIAR and that she had just fell on hard times. She has paid me back in full plus interest for the puppy I purchased over a year ago. I am deeply sorry and will POST it on every site today and will also be sending you a letter .  Jeff Marshall

Kaylie Jurden
Said this on 3-15-2011 At 04:29 am

Just got an email with very little changed about husky puppies.... Im so glad that I found this post before I sent the money.. Lesson learned!

Said this on 11-7-2010 At 05:42 am

Hi,

Just writing to let you all know that we have been looking for a new puppy and have come across some dodgey replys.

We found one add for teacup chihuahuas that had my wife very excitied and now we have just had a phone call from the shipping company wanting 3 times the amount she said it would cost and doing some research we found the company is located in Cameroon so we wont be getting the dogs and my wife is not happy.

Just recieved another phone call from the courier company and when I asked them about it they just hang up on me so all I can say is beware.

Said this on 9-2-2010 At 04:29 am

hello

last friday i answerd an add in the gum tree classifides saying well trained and intelligent Chihuahua puppy for your lovely home‏

by a lady claming she was giving them away to a good home her email address is  adelinenyeh@yahoo.com

she said i had to go through another company to get the dog here they asked for $150 for flights witch i didnt mind i payed that as they requested through western union  which i later found out is the worst bank to go through because you dont need id to pick up money which i was unaware of

then they said he needed vacines and a air conditiond crete to travel in and life insurance this cost me all up $1600 and was told i was getting a refund of $1200 when the puppy arrived

i sat at home and waited for the puppy for three hours and nothing no puppy and no money i was so upset it wasnt even the money that just made me mad that somone could do such a sik thing

then get this four hours later no phone calls emails nothing i recieve a email saying he had died during his delivery here and could they have all my bank details so they can give me a payout of $25000 to compensate me

there is no way i am handing over any more information to this company 

pettravelinternational@post.com

 be warned do not be scamed by this company they took me of $1600

if any one has any advice on what to do next please email me

 

Said this on 6-29-2010 At 06:17 am

Hello, On February tenth 2010 I sent bev thomas (mystiquefurbabies.com) 1,450 for a brussels griffon puppy and after I sent the money the correspondance gradually stopped then the excuses started and here it is six months later no money or no puppy. Now she says I dont have your money. What can I do to get my money back? I have plenty of proof and documented all of her emails.        Please help   Jeff Marshall

Said this on 6-26-2011 At 04:23 pm

My name is Bev Thomas. If you go to www.mystiquefurbabies.com you can learn about me and what I have chosen to do with my life. All of the testimonials there, and many more that have been taken off due to the limited space, are from actual clients in their own words.
The Marshall's inquired about a male Brussels Griffon puppy to show in January 2010. The puppy was born 11/24/09 and I told them I wouldn't let him leave until around the end of February, at the earliest, when I could evaluate him for show potential. Mrs. Marshall called me numerous times before deciding to send a deposit to hold him. Several weeks later they paid the balance due. Mrs. Marshall continued to call two or three times a week, talking for an hour or so each time, asking me the same questions over and over until I finally had to limit how many times I answered her calls and started replying to her occasionally via email. When he became old enough to ship, it was too cold to ship the puppy and we agreed to wait until a break in the weather before shipping. During this delay they decided they wanted to have his ears cropped. After about two weeks they still hadn't found a vet, in their area, to do the surgery so I offered to have it done at my vet's. This meant he couldn't be shipped for at least two weeks after the surgery, which was fine with me because it was still too cold to ship a puppy. I told them since he was staying for awhile longer I would (at no charge) strip his puppy coat so he would begin to get a show coat. This is an expensive, very time consuming process that a professional groomer will normally charge $50.00-75.00 per session and is done twice a week for approximately two months depending on the coat type. They paid the $150.00 charge for ear cropping but after ear surgery I did the post-op care of cleaning, re-wrapping, medicating, and nursing the puppy through the pain and trauma so he wouldn't be frightened of human touch afterward. The four round-trip visits to the vet for after care, a 45 miles round trip and three hours of my time going there, were all at my expense. When it came time to book the flight the Marshall's informed me they were only willing to drive to the closest town near them with an airport. After checking on flights I told them that would involve two changes of planes, layovers, extra time on the tarmac in the cold and too much
stress for a puppy his age. It was more risk than I wanted to take with his health and well being to get him there. That meant he would be at the airport two hours prior to take-off(regulations), fly to Detroit or Chicago, unload there and be taken somewhere for the almost two hour layover(required time to change an animal), board the next flight, fly to the next city, unload there and hopefully be taken inside for the layover time, be loaded on the next plane, fly to the destination airport and after TWELVE hours or more finally be handed over to them. I made the decision that I would not traumatize one of my precious babies that way. Nor would I expose him to the elements and not know if he was taken inside during the plane changes or if he was just left sitting out on the tarmac like the luggage and cargo are. There was also a chance that he wouldn't make one of the flights and have to be kenneled overnight and shipped the next day. I was informed by the Marshall's that she wouldn't drive in the city and he didn't have the time to make the trip. I asked about a friend or relative helping them and was flatly told NO, SHIP HIM! I was horribly upset that they would treat a puppy like that and prayed for guidance in handling this situation. I put them off for over a week while trying to decide how to handle this. Two days later I unwrapped the ears again and could see they still weren't standing properly so my vet and I decided to use a different technique for wrapping to try to strengthen the cartilage. I informed the Marshall's of this problem and they agreed since they didn't have a vet that would even care for cropped ears he needed to stay with me awhile longer. After two more weeks of wrapping, re-wrapping and nursing his ears I had to admit defeat and I knew I had to tell them the ears were not going to stand properly and I would not sell him as a show potential puppy. At any time during this process I could have shipped this puppy and said...GOOD LUCK!...but that's not how I place one of my beloved babies! Especially a show prospect. The Marshall's had never shown a dog, didn't know how to groom a Griff and needed all the help they could get. I had agreed to mentor them through this process, which is what I do when I place a puppy, whether it be for a companion or to show. I intended to do what I had told them I would do. As expected, they were very upset. I was keeping a show prospect female from this litter and because they were so upset and I felt terrible about it, I offered them the female. I sent pictures so they could make a decision.
If they got a picture of the male, that was a mistake on my part. At no time did they point that out to me. I also told them they would have to drive to the closest major airport as I absolutely would not ship a puppy under their terms. They flatly refused to agree to drive there. I realized I was getting the answer to my prayers over shipping a puppy to their town. I told them I would not agree to their demands and I would refund their money as soon as possible. This meant I needed to sell this puppy as a pet along with two more pet puppies in order to refund the total amount. Just like every other business the economy has caused lower prices and slow sales. Plus shipping is almost impossible in extreme cold and hot weather. I wasn't able to sell those two puppies as pets because of the ear problems and now can't sell them
due to their age. I had planned to send part of the money in July when the a/c went out and had to be replaced. Then I started having health problems that involved expensive tests and medication. The medications aren't working so I now need to have two surgeries. Because I don't have medical insurance I've had a lot of expenses the last five months that I didn't plan on. Yes, I did stop answering their phone calls when they became verbally abusive with foul language and name calling. Mr. Marshall works as a jailer where they live so he has used his connections there to have someone call to threaten and harrass me, also, even to the point of calling the police where I live and tried to get them to harrass me. They made a courtesy call to me so I would be aware of what he was doing. They have gone onto every website they can find and posted their side of the story making it sound like I did this intentionally. Now it's almost impossible for me to sell a puppy. The dog sales are my only source of income so there's no way to pay them now! My friends are helping support the dogs. I had to apply for food stamps in order to feed myself and my church is assisting with the utility payments. I have been breeding and showing dogs for a long time and I have never had anything like this happen before. I would never intentionally do something like this if it could be avoided. I have put my health and wellbeing first because I had to. Now my reputation as a breeder is being ruined and I have no recourse, at all, even if I can pay the full refund.
Tell me this...What would you have done in my case?

UPDATE:4/2011- A FULL REFUND INCLUDING INTEREST HAS BEEN PAID TO THE MARSHALL'S!!  To see what just a few of my wonderful clients wrote regarding this situation go to: complaintsboard.com

Said this on 3-18-2011 At 11:01 am

Now Bev Thomas has a new web site mybrusselsgriffon.com what a rip its march 18th and I still havent been paid and she keeps selling dogs. She went out of bussiness for a few months after I reported her but now she is back and selling many dogs on puppyfind.com. she promised to pay me after she sold some pups, just more lies. Beware of Bev Thomas went to the Missouri Attourney's office as well as the Missouri Better Business Bureau and she won't answer their calls or letters either. I just want my money back nothing more nothing less.      Thank you  Jeff Marshall Cheboygan MI

Judy
Said this on 9-17-2010 At 10:46 pm

Hi Jeff-

Did you ever get a refund or the dog?  I also purchased a Brussels puppy, and I'm waiting for a response to one of my emails asking about the weight of the dog.  It's been a few days and I still haven't received an email.  I'm getting a little a suspicious because the ship date has been pushed back a few times.  Thanks.

jeff
Said this on 10-31-2010 At 01:38 pm

Judy Its October 31st and she has just sent me 700.00 I still am hoping to get a full refund.

cc
Said this on 4-20-2010 At 06:00 pm

This scam we picked up in a Nickel paper in Washington state.  Two Yorkie terriers...my sister contacted them, then my husband and I under our separate emails...same con.

We've reported it to  http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx

jade
Said this on 4-3-2010 At 09:18 am

hi thre, i belive that a woman claiming to be in belfast is doing the same thing to me with a husky puppy.

even though she stated i could get my own pet courier. but keeps stating everytime she e mails me that she needs my address so she can get a pet courier. I am going to see what she says when i ask if i can use my own pet courier.

I looked up her other adds and there was quiet a few, for monkey babies, pug puppies and a type of expensive kitten (as well as the huskys).I found this a bit unusual especially when she had told me she was getting rid of the dogs as she had just moved from England to Belfast and that the landlord would not let her keep them even though she had petitioned 7 times but was still refused...as i found this very strange i e mailed her demandind an answer and she said it was because her family breed animals and she does all the advertising. So i then decided to phone her on the number given on the add but it is always on voice mail and does not have a uk voice mail service but a french one (i think).

im still very wary as you can tell,,, and would like to know if any one else as delt with this woman or heard of her before.

i found her add through the internet on the uk classifieds.co.uk

the add is called ; Charming Siberian Husky Puppies For Adoption!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the email address is melissameeky@yahoo.com

Said this on 2-6-2010 At 06:35 am

Please Read Below as my young son would have been conned into this if I did not step in and done the home work for him anyway have a read. Matthew

 

 Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2010 07:04:21 -0800
> Subject: husky
> From: jenniferjane25@gmail.com
> > Thank you very much for replying to my ad.I will like to start by
> making you understand that this puppies (male and female) is for
> adoption and will love to be catered for.They are so cute and lovely
> and will bring joy to any family.They are registered,potty trained
> and well socialized.Has all their shots up to date and about 14 weeks
> of age.
> I am currently relocated in Cameroon from Adelaide two weeks ago
> and a pet lover, these puppies where given to me as a gift from a
> priest in Adelaide
> but due to the bad climate here my babies are not conformable this
> explains why i am giving them out for free because there is no body to
> take good care of
> Brenda and Brandon.So i am willing
> to give them out to some one who can offer to take good care of them
> and be able to pay for their shipping papers which is $480 for one and
> $750 for both .Don't hesitate to ask any question.
> Regards

Hi there jennifer if this is who you are?  that is? Before I go on I have done some reseach and it is intresting you say you are moving from S.A to The Republic of Cameroon in western Africa. it is also interesting as this also borders on Nigeria where alot of the scams have come from via Emails. I also noted you did not reply to what I asked of you in this email and you never and gave the reasons I out lined in my email to you last night nor did you address me as matthew. 2nd you did not send this email back as a reply to answer why you will not give details to come and see the Huskys in S.A why?
 
Again as I stated to you in my email last night though my sons email acct we have alot of our family live here in the same place you claim you are living. So again, I'd put it to you there is no need to hand over to you $750 for the 2 huskys that are free as there would be no need as we can pick them up ourself from you.
 
Like I said if this email you sent me is above board all we need from you is your land line to call you on tonight to make a time and get your address to come and view the two huskys you say are for free. We would need to veiw the huskys first that is if this is not a scam to rip off Australian and young people over the internet. Now as there are still a lot of people still who do not seem to understand the danger regarding scams over the net. I need to ask to be given a land line to call you on to make sure all is above board.
 
I read the Email again today why you still want $750 for the 2 Huskys. But it somehow does not add up because you have already stated you live in S.A the same place as our family so there is no need for my son our us to part with $750 Aust as transport will not be needed and as I said in last email all we need from you is a Landline to call you on to come and see the 2 huskys. Also as I have worked in this field I can tell you that your 2 Huskys in the same area as you will not cost 750 as you stated.
 
But some how I have a gut feeling this is another scam like many others we seen before. So again if you are above board in wanting to give you huskys away for free to a good caring home you would not have a proplem in replying to this email with your land line so I am able to contact you at home tonight. 
 
So I will inform you if you are unable to email back with a land line in S.A  to call you on I will put it down you are from overseas and this is a big scam to rip off Australians. I will then be handing all emails from you and my son and myself with the advert for the free huskys will be passing this on to our local Authorities in S.A to investergate this latest clam of giving away free huskys at a cost of $750 for Shipping? .
 
You must understend Why I am asking this of you As you only have a Gmail.com address and as you know this can be anywhere in the world So for all we know you are just another person trying to scam Australians via the internet. I would like to think you are telling the truth but only a land line followed up by calling you and talking to you over the phone to come and see your huskys would prove me wrong, as no responsible owner would just ship 2 dogs to anyone who is willing to give them $750. As a pet owner I have never given away my Shepherds to anyone. I had them meet us and we sat back for 1 hr to see how the new owner were with the dogs.
 
I would really like to think I was wrong. But some how I think I am right, that you ar a group of you are trying to scam Australians out of there money over the internet between $450 and $750. Now if that so not bad in scam this much out of each person who is not wise to investigate this more before handing over there hard earned cash. By the way, Nice Photio of the Pups but you were not in the photo so again I can pull photos off the Net and place then in my email to make out it is above board
                          
                                       Cheers Matthew

=======

Jay: This is definitely a scam. In future, do not waste too much time writing back to them, just simply "walk away".

That is, in negotiation terms, apply the tactic "these boots are meant for walking". Kill the communication and move on.

And thanks for sharing this incident. There will be many people after this that would read these domments, as you have done. Thanks again.

Said this on 2-3-2010 At 06:17 am

I've been looking for a pup and the gumtree is rife with people claiming they are selling very expensive dogs at unbelievably low prices, then going on to say their child has died for heart failure. the clincher is they then say they are somewhere across the country and ask you to send money via money transfer to pay for "shipping" cost. thankfully i never went as far as to send money, but surely some people do. basics, don't buy a puppy you haven't seen and never send money!

Said this on 2-3-2010 At 12:31 am

This is to do with a husky puppy named kelly all the guy wanted was $180 for shipping the dog to me within 8hrs I gave it a shot and emailed him back asking many questions he replied several times but would never give me a straight answer when I asked about shipping or possibly seeing the dog 

loydcane@hotmail.com

 

Hello,


Thank you for contacting me in regards to my Puppy that i am giving out for free home adoption , first i will like to tell you how happy i feel seeing that there is some one outside there that is very interested and happy to get this lovely puppy re-home, she is registered with the following animal registration clubs that's Akc,Ckc, kc and she is veterinary checked and vaccinated and have all health records till date and housing documents, well i will also like to tell you why am adopting this lovely puppy for Free adoption,the main reason is because of my working condition. My time table was change so right now i work from Monday to Saturday and my only resting day is Sunday which i am quite busy with church Activities. So there is no one home to carter for them so for that reason i really love some one to take good care over this little Angel, so that's why i want her to go to any caring and loving home that will care and carter for her.And she is so sensitive and possesses for following:
______________

- She is house Trained and Potty.
- She does not bark a lot.
- She eat 2 times daily and at afternoons she drinks Milk .
- She Is socialized with kids and other house hold pets like,cats , birds dogs etc
- She likes to be carried a lot and be spoiled.
- She likes to be kissed .
- She gets angry when you shout at her, so don't do that.
- She is 11 Weeks old and weighs 3 ibs


She have been vaccinated and registered with all the pet registrations and will come to you with all this documents and papers and also their crates. She will also come along with the following documents ,

* AKC /KC Documents.
* Pedigree.
* Age Level Potty Training.
* Puppy Contract/Guarantee.
* Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
* Micro-Chipped (In case ever lost or stolen).
* Current on all vaccinations.
* De wormed.
* Puppy Packet ( Vaccination sch5916edule and history, Crate Training info., Potty Training info.)
* Travel Crates.

For delivery if it is needed, i have been re-located here is Newfoundland, but you don't have to bother in regards to that because it will takes just 6hrs to 7 hrs for this puppy to arrive your location and so means all you will rather spend to have her is 180$ including a crate, Please If you have any more question to ask i will answer you truthfully and faithfully
.I would like to ask you some few questions if you don't mind.

1) Are you a breeder?
2) Are you married?
3) What is your occupation?
4) Will you send me pictures of her when you have her?
5) And will you treat these puppy as your child?    
6) Were are you located?
7) how soon are you ready for her?
8) what is your phone number to reach you?

Sorry for too many question,but i just want to be sure that my puppies will be going to the right home.so will be waiting to read back from your soonest mail.I have also attach some recent pictures of the puppy to you ,hope you like it?

God Bless You. 

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