Dogs are being used as scam-bait to trick animal lovers into paying for pups, documentation and delivery.
Paarl police spokesperson Capt Louise du Plessis warns residents not to fall for just any potential furry friend as it could put them at risk of being tricked by internet scammers.
“There have been increasing reports of fraud with the purchasing of dogs over the internet,” she said. “People commonly respond to [an] advertisement, followed by payment being made for the purchase and delivery of the dog.”
The client is again contacted by the seller about extra payment for delivery and documentation. However, the dog is never delivered and the seller cannot be reached again, Du Plessis explains.
The bait extends beyond animals. “In the event of purchasing a vehicle via Facebook, Gumtree or an internet advertisement, the seller will commonly request a direct online payment of either the full amount or a deposit amount before delivering the vehicle.
“After the payment is made, the buyer never receives the vehicle.”
The public is urged not to pay any fees to any seller online, and to do the sale personally where both the buyer and the seller are present. This is to ensure money is transferred via the right channels for a purchase that is actually delivered.
