● MEDIUM RISK
Pet & Puppy Sale Scam
Fake breeders and pet sellers advertise adorable animals that don't exist, collecting deposits and escalating "shipping," "insurance," and "crate" fees for a pet that never arrives.
Losses: Median reported loss around $850 (BBB Scam Tracker)
Targets: Families seeking pets, especially around holidays; remote buyers
Updated: 2026-06-11
Also known as: Puppy Scam · Pet Adoption Scam · Fake Breeder Scam · Pet Shipping Scam
01
How It Works
Pet scams surge around holidays and in spring. Scammers post photos of irresistible animals — often stolen from real breeders — at prices low enough to feel like a deal but high enough to be believable.
**How it unfolds:**
1. **The listing**: A purebred puppy, kitten, or exotic pet advertised below market price with professional-looking photos.
2. **The emotional hook**: You fall for the specific animal. The "breeder" sends more photos and videos (often stolen or AI-generated).
3. **Deposit demand**: Payment is requested via Zelle, Cash App, Apple Pay, gift cards, or wire — all irreversible.
4. **Fee escalation**: Once you pay, new costs appear — a "special climate-controlled crate," "pet insurance," "vaccination certificate," or "customs fees." Each is the last one, they promise.
5. **The vanish**: The pet never ships. The seller disappears, or keeps inventing fees until you stop paying.
**Why it works:**
Emotion overrides caution. Buyers commit to a specific animal before verifying the seller exists.
How Scammers Make Contact
Fake breeder websitesClassified adsSocial mediaEmailText
02
Warning Signs & Red Flags
- Seller insists on Zelle, Cash App, gift cards, or wire transfer only
- Price is suspiciously low for the breed
- Seller refuses a live video call or in-person visit with the animal
- Escalating fees after the deposit (crate, insurance, customs)
- Reverse image search shows the photos used on other listings
- Pressure to decide immediately "before another buyer takes it"
03
Real-World Example
"We found a French bulldog puppy for $900 — a steal. The 'breeder' sent the cutest videos. We paid a deposit by Zelle, then a $700 'climate crate' fee, then $450 for 'pet insurance the airline requires.' Every time we paid, there was one more fee. The puppy never existed. We were out $2,050."
— BBB Scam Tracker Puppy Scam Study
04
How to Protect Yourself
- Never buy a pet you (or a trusted local contact) cannot see in person
- Reverse-image-search the pet photos — scammers reuse stolen images
- Pay with a credit card or method that offers buyer protection, never gift cards or wire
- Be wary of any breeder who only communicates by text or email
- Search the seller, phone number, and website for scam reports
- Adopt through known shelters or verify breeders with kennel-club registries
05
What To Do If You're a Victim
- 1Stop sending money the moment fees start escalating
- 2Contact your bank or payment provider to attempt a reversal
- 3Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 4File a report with BBB Scam Tracker and Petscams.com
- 5Report the listing to the platform where you found it
- 6Save all messages, receipts, and the listing URL
Report This Scam
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pet & Puppy Sale Scam?
Fake breeders and pet sellers advertise adorable animals that don't exist, collecting deposits and escalating "shipping," "insurance," and "crate" fees for a pet that never arrives. Pet scams surge around holidays and in spring. Scammers post photos of irresistible animals — often stolen from real breeders — at prices low enough to feel like a deal but high enough to be believable.
**How it unfolds:**
1. **The listing**: A purebred puppy, kitten, or exotic pet advertised below...
How common is this type of scam?
Pet & Puppy Sale Scam is classified as a medium risk threat. Reported losses: Median reported loss around $850 (BBB Scam Tracker). This primarily targets Families seeking pets, especially around holidays; remote buyers.
Can I get my money back?
Recovery depends on how you paid. Credit card payments may be reversed through chargebacks. Wire transfers and cryptocurrency are rarely recoverable. Report immediately to your bank and file complaints with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and FBI IC3 at ic3.gov.
How do I report this?
Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. For internet crimes, file with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov. For identity theft, visit identitytheft.gov. Also contact your local police and your bank.
Sources & References
Related Scams
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