How Pet Scams Work
Pet scams have exploded since the pandemic. Scammers post fake ads with adorable photos, collect deposits, then disappear or keep asking for more money.
Common Scenarios
- Fake breeder — Beautiful website, stolen photos, pet doesn't exist
- Transport fees — After deposit, they ask for "transport", "insurance", "customs" fees
- Sick pet — Pet arrives sick or dies shortly after
- Wrong pet — You receive a different breed or pet than advertised
- No delivery — You pay and never receive anything
Real Examples
"I found a French Bulldog puppy online for $800. After the deposit, they asked for $500 transport, then $300 insurance, then $400 customs. I paid $2,000 total and never received anything."
"The breeder seemed legitimate with a nice website. I paid $1,500 for a Golden Retriever. The delivery date kept getting pushed back until they stopped responding."
"I received a puppy but it was clearly not the breed advertised. When I complained, the seller blocked me."
Red Flags
- Price too good to be true
- Can't visit the breeder in person
- Payment by e-transfer or gift cards only
- Pressure to decide quickly
- Multiple "unexpected" fees after deposit
- Photos that look too professional or appear elsewhere online
What You Can Do
- Stop sending money — Don't pay any more "fees"
- Document everything — Screenshots, messages, proof of payment
- Report the ad — On Kijiji, Facebook, or wherever you found it
- Contact your bank — Request chargeback if paid by credit card
- File a police report — This is fraud
- Report to Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — 1-888-495-8501
How Report Quebec Can Help You
- Complete documentation of your case
- Guidance to appropriate recourse
- Official record of the fraud
- Help identifying warning signs for the future
Victim of a Pet Scam?
Document your case with us. Your report helps identify scammers and protect others.
File a Report
