‘Enormous emotional toll’: Victorians being tricked by puppy scams

Unsuspecting victims are being left “devastated” by a cruel scam that has cost some people more than $10,000.

Victoria Police has sounded the alarm over a growing scam throughout the state where unsuspecting victims are being tricked out of thousands of dollars from fake puppy advertisements.

Detectives are investigating hundreds of reports of puppy scams in which Victorians are deceived by false advertisements on websites and online marketplaces.

Victims are generally asked to make cash deposits into a bank account for a puppy, which includes costs for interstate transport, insurance and registration fees.

They are also often asked for more money after the initial payment, with a variety of excuses offered such as different crates or equipment being required.

Puppy scams have cost hundred of Victorians thousands of dollars.

Communication usually stops once payment has been made, with the victims not receiving their puppy. Losses between $700 and $10,000 have been reported.

A Deer Park man was charged earlier in the year over alleged puppy scams, but reports of scams have continued since then.

The most prevalent dog breeds being falsely advertised are cavoodles, french bulldogs, mini teacup puppies, golden retrievers, corgies and dachshunds.

Some of the unsuspecting victims include a mother who lost more than $10,000 after she thought she was buying two french bulldogs for herself and her daughter.

They believed the seller was credible and transferred funds for the puppies, but the seller then stopped all contact with them.

A man also believed he was buying a blue staffordshire bull terrier on Facebook marketplace as a surprise wedding present for his fiancee.

After receiving what he believed to be credible information about the puppy, the man paid a deposit. The seller ceased all contact with him once the funds had been transferred.

A 32-year-old Deer Park man was charged over an alleged puppy scam earlier this year. Picture: Victoria Police

Brimbank crime investigation unit Acting Detective Sergeant Laura Montgomery urged the public to be vigilant when it came to puppy scams.

“We’re encouraging people to really do their research before buying – if an offer seems too good to be true, then it probably is,” she said.

“While it might be convenient to purchase a puppy online, it’s imperative you see what you are buying before transferring funds over as this is the safest option.

“Not only do victims lose a significant financial amount, this type of scam takes an enormous emotional toll on people who are devastated that they have been taken advantage of after wanting to bring a puppy into their lives.”

Sergeant Laura Montgomery said the scam had ‘devastated’ victims. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Joel Carrett

Steps buyers can take include doing reverse image searches, trying to meet the puppy in person and being cautious of sellers offering cheap prices or who will not talk over the phone.

Anyone with information in relation to the scams is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as ‘Enormous emotional toll’: Victorians being tricked by puppy scams