Families duped and police warning issued after Tasmanians lose $35,000 this year to online puppy scammers overseas

One of 11 Tasmanians ripped off by opportunistic scams has told of her family’s sadness at being duped by scammers, revealing details about the tactics used to deceive her.

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A BRIGHTON mother’s quest to welcome a Shih tzu puppy to the family home took a sinister turn when scammers duped her for thousands of dollars.

Alicia Medhurst had found online who she thought was a breeder who had advertised pups for “reasonably cheap”.

While suspicious on occasions, she spoke to a real person during the process, was sent pictures of pups with people, and was sent a tracking number with many apparent details about the pup.

But soon after she transferred money to a bank account, contact ceased and the pup never arrived.

Mrs Medhurst is one of almost a dozen Tasmanians cheated out of more than $35,000 this calendar year by overseas scammers.

She is resigned to the fact she will not get the money back.

“What kind of human being does that?” she said.

Mrs Medhurst described the scammers as sophisticated and intelligent and it was not easily detectable as a scam.

“It’s definitely far from just your average [scam],’’ she said.

“These people were real. I talked to them.”

Thankfully, the family has this week finally welcomed a Shih tzu, Jack, after buying him from a legitimate breeder in Melbourne.

Tasmania Police E-Crime Investigation Services Detective Sergeant Paul Turner said 11 Tasmanians had fallen victim to such scams, including many during the COVID pandemic.

He said scammers targeted people’s emotions and took advantage of the fact they could not travel to meet the puppy.

Det Sgt Turner said the most common reported breeds involved with the scams were Cavoodles, Shih tzu and French Bulldogs.

He said the only safe option was to buy or adopt a pet from someone that could be contacted in person, such as a reputable breeder.

Det Sgt Turner said scam websites could look convincing but “if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is”.

EARLIER:

OVERSEAS scammers have duped Tasmanians of more than $35,000 this year when victims paid money for puppies that did not exist.

Tasmania Police said 11 unsuspecting Tasmanians had fallen foul of opportunistic scammers who had promised the victims they would be sent a puppy.

Instead, the scammers ceased all contact after being sent money they had asked for upfront.

It has prompted a warning from police and Dogs Tasmania for prospective new dog owners to be vigilant and do their research to avoid being ripped off.

Tasmania Police E-Crime Investigation Services Detective Sergeant Paul Turner said many people had fallen victim to such scams during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is another type of scam where the offenders target the emotions of their victims, such as romance scams,’’ he said.

“Scammers set up fake websites or ads on online classifieds and social media pretending to sell sought-after dog breeds and will take advantage of the fact that you can’t travel to meet the puppy in person.”

Cavoodles are among breeds targeted by scammers. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Det Sgt Turner said the most common reported breeds involved with the scams were Cavoodles, Shih tzu and French Bulldogs.

He said most victims contacted scammers via an email address they found online.

“The only safe option is to purchase or adopt a pet from someone you can contact in person or purchase from a well-known reputable breeder that you have researched well,’’ Det Sgt Turner said.

“Scam websites can look very convincing but remember if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.”

Dogs Tasmania, the organisation which administers all purebred canine activities in the state, encouraged those interested in welcoming a puppy to their family to first contact them for guidance.

The organisation has about 1000 members, including about 300 breeders.

“We can put them in contact with breeders and then that way they’re not going to fall for any scam,’’ executive officer Kerry Smith said.

Mr Smith said they had about two to three reports a week of concerns about scams involving puppies, including one woman who recently phoned up in tears after being duped.

Trudi Counsell, who breeds Lhasa apso dogs at her Acton Park property, said reports of scammers had sadly increased in recent times.

She said the ancient breed, originally from Tibet, was rare with only about 120 puppies born each year across the country and she was the only breeder in Tasmania.

Dog breeder Trudi Counsell and eight-month-old Lhasa Apso named Remy. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Mrs Counsell urged people to contact breeders, talk to them and request a meeting in person.

“If you have an opportunity to see a puppy with its mother, take it,’’ she said.

“Ask the breeder if you can see them on the livestream, ask if they can do a Facebook live, a messenger with you, a telephone call or a video.

“Don’t just buy a puppy over the internet over email.”

Police said people should do their research, be cautious, don’t trust the legitimacy of ads online, avoid any arrangement where people ask for money upfront, and if in doubt, seek advice from someone in the industry like a breeders association or vet.

French Bulldogs were one of the most common breeds reported in the puppy scam.

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