HI ALL! I was browsing online when I came across some adorable pug puppies! I already knew that there were a lot of scammers out there so I decided to see if this was a scam or if it was legit.
The ad said that there were 4 puppies and they were free to a good home because the owner had had an accident and needed to go back to the UK for treatment on his leg.
It sounded kinda legit and there were 5 really good quality photos of the puppies in a little bed. It was the photos that almost made me think that this was real because of the quality.
Anyway I sent an email and this was the reply:
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EMAIL 1:
Thanks a lot for the mail. I just want you to assure me that you are
going to take care of these puppies.
let me tell you brief about them. There are four of them,
two males and two females, and they are all 13weeks old now. They are very
healthy and also feed well and are very social to kids and other pets.
They have toys which they shall come along with. They are De-wormed,
Micro-chipped, home trained, updated with shots, and will come with
all their papers and health records alongside
toys & feeding menu. They shall also come along with a small pan for
pooing. They are vet checked and vaccinated. Very healthy both
inside and outside their body.I really love these puppies but there is
no way I will be able to take care of them. I will be going to the UK
for treatment since I had an accident and it greatly affected my legs.
I am not sure of coming back until God knows when.
By the way, I will like to know a little about you, you really sound
interested in taking in these puppies. Please I will be very glad if you
can answer these few questions:
1- Are you married?
2- Do you have kids?
3- Do you got experience in keeping pets?
4_ Do you have any pet at the moment?
5- Can you please email me a photo of where they are going to stay (if possible)
6- Also, how many of them will you love to take?
Forgive me for all the questions but I really want to know who I am
giving these puppies to and I also want the best for them. Please get back
to me with the answers of the above questions so that you can come and
pick them up. I am located in Darwin. If you are close, you can come,
but if you are far, shipping can be organized.
Thanks a lot for contacting me regarding these puppies and waiting to
read from you soonest
Attached are some pics.
Regards
Bonnie
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So I couldn't help but think.. "Didn't the original ad say that they were located in Brisbane?" I jumped online and looked for the ad again and it was gone.
I replied to the email and this was the response I got:
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EMAIL 2:
Thanks a lot. I am glad you can give this pups a good home.
This is a permanent adoption because i dont think i will be coming back
to Australia any time soon.I am located in Darwin, and I can ship them
to you at a cost of $500, the shipping company will deliver her at
your address. If it is ok with
you, send me your full names, house address and contact numbers so
that i can send it first thing in the morning. The shipping agent
will contact you once i register for shipping, and they will give you
full transportation details. You will pay shipping cost to them when
they contact you.
Thanks a lot and waiting for a reply
Bonnie
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$500?!?!? WOW that sounds a little expensive! So I emailed back saying that I thought it was a bit much and that I would get some quotes. This was the reply:
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EMAIL 3:
I want these puppies to go to the best possible home, and i find that
in you. I am offering to pay $200. It is a cut i'm making from my
hospital bills. If you can afford the remaining $300, let me know and
send me your details.
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Hmm ok.. That's a pretty sweet deal.... 4 pug puppies for $300. So I said sure thing (by now I knew it was definitely a scam! - note poor spelling etc) This was the next email I received:
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EMAIL 4:
U-SHIP TRANSPORTATION
PET TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT
08-9467-9659(VOICE MAIL)
002-377-868-5235(DIRECT LINE)
Dear Customer,
We have information about four Pug Puppies from Mr Bonnie Wilson at the Terminal 3 U-SHIP TRANSPORT AGENCY; Pet control department Darwin almost ready for Shipment.
============================== ============================== ============================== =========== === == == = =========
DELIVERY ADDRESS
The delivery address below is the address to which the puppies will be delivered to:
NAMES OF RECEIVER....................... .......... <removed>
HOME ADDRESS:.......................................... . <removed>
Department.................... .............................. Pet Transport ®
Country....................... ................................. <removed>
============================== ============================== ====
DESCRIPTION
============================== ============================== ====
BREED........................ . ............................... //PUG
QUANTITY.......................................... .........// FOUR
AGE........................... ............ ....................// 13 WEEKS
SEX............................................... ...............................//2 MALEs AND 2 FEMALEs
ID............................ ....... .............//APF/0p37/KX1/08
DOCUMENTS...................... ...//TRANSFER OF OWNER-SHIP DOCUMENT
VET CERTIFICATE
SHOT RECORDS
FEEDING MANUAL
OTHERS......................... ..... .............................. ............. ......... FOUR PET CRATES
FIRST AID
MEDICATIONS
These Puppies from Mr Bonie Wilson at our Pet Transport Department Darwin will come with recent vet record of their health,
But as our veterinarians must conduct other tests to be sure of their health and that was done. So the Pups are almost ready for shipment today since we will have to check the paper works. It should be noted that this shipment cannot be carried out unless the shipping fee of $300 is paid Today. $200 has already been paid and you have to complete $300. This payment was to be done to our Australian accounts, BUT PRESENTLY WE ARE AT THE END OF OUR FINANCIAL YEAR, AND WE ARE CALCULATING OUR PROFITS; HENCE NO FUNDS CAN BE PAID INTO NOR WITHDRAWN FROM THE ACCOUNTS SO IN THE MEAN TIME ALL PAYMENTS ARE TO BE DONE VIA
WESTERNUNION MONEY TRANSFER
TO OUR FINANCIAL BRANCH RESPONSIBLE FOR ANIMAL DELIVERY LOCATED IN CAMEROON. YOU ARE REQUESTED TO PAY THE TOTAL FUND VIA WESTERNUNION MONEY TRANSFER
You can also pay online following the instructions below.
Open the link below, create an account and send the amount to the address below. Your puppies will be transported once payment is confirmed.
https://www.westernunion.com.au/WUCO...ersonalInfo.doTO THE ADDRESS BELOW;
============================
PAYMENT DETAILS
==============================
NAMES: ............................... ............. ..................... .. HELEN TALE
COUNTRY: .............................. ........ ................... CAMEROON
CITY.......................... ..................... ........................BUEA
ZIP CODE........................... .. ........ ....................00237
When making the payment you will be required to use a test question.Make it to be;
TEST QUESTION: .............................. ......HOW SOON
TEST ANSWER: .............................. ....... ............NOW
YOU CAN FIND A WESTERNUNION MONEY TRANSFER
AGENT LOCATION AT THE AUSTRALIA POST OFFICE
PAYMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE DONE TODAY BEFORE WE CAN PROCEED WITH THE SHIPPING
WESTERNUNION MONEY TRANSFER
==============================
We will need you to pay this money as soon as possible, So as to
book the next flight which is scheduled from Here over
==============================
=========================
This payment should be made as soon as possible, So as to Ship the puppies early enough. If this fee is not provided, The Puppies will NOT be dispatched from the keeping of the company and will spend more for the daily feeding until the Director confirms the payment of the $300. As soon as you are done with the payment you are expected to E-mail us with the payment details that is the full money Transfer details
(REFERENCE #/MTCN). We will confirm the payment and get back to you with the updated home delivery details.
OBJECTIVE:
PET TRANSPORT AGENCY; is committed to providing a safe and comfortable travel experience for all of our customers, including pets. Our pets' flights are relatively stress-free. Our major objective is safe delivery for our customers and pets as well. For safety reasons, we prefer you choose the most direct flight to your destination. This will help reduce the stress on your pet. If warm temperatures are a concern, pets are flown preferably early in the morning,evening or an overnight flight used.We also issue a kennel/carrier for small sized pets,there is enough room for the pet to stand and sit is a natural position,turn around and lie down.The kennel door also closed securely. But for larger animal, a kennel is not required.
We offer the following Dedicated 24-hour Live Animal Desk Confirmed booking prior to departure Weather conditions constantly monitored at all points. The ability to track and trace the animal from its origin to its destination. Personal handling in climate-controlled vehicles for connections over Continentals hubs when the animal will be exposed to temperatures above 85°F (29.5°C) degrees for more than 45 minutes.
Thanks
STAY TO ENJOY U-SHIP TRANSPORT
DARWIN (AUSTRALIA)
0894679659(voice mail)
0023778685235(direct line)
BRANCH MANAGER
USHIP
PET TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT,
(AUSTRALIA)
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The email address for "USHIP" was
uship-pet-transport-department@live.com.. I LAUGHED SO HARD!!! Why would a company have a live account?!! COME ON! The scammers need to try a little bit harder than that.
I looked up "Uship" on google and found that it is an actual company (obviously with completely different contact details!!) Poor UShip - I hope that they know that their company name is being used by scammers.