A pensioner is $2500 out of pocket after being targeted by an online dog breeder scam.
Christine Jenkins was promised a dog named Milo from a supposed dog breeder who charged her $2500 for the pooch, but the day he was due to arrive, the scammer asked Jenkins for another $1790 for a new crate.
“I just said to him you’re a scammer you’re not getting any more money out of me,” she told 9News.
Similar scams have spread to the point New South Wales woman Sandy Trujilo started Puppy Scam Awareness Australia.
“It’s always been puppies until now – but the last few months lot of scammers [are] impersonating rescue websites,” she said.
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“You should try to see the animal in person, otherwise always speak to the breeder on the phone … and contact the animal’s vet.”
Trujilo has found replacement dogs for six people who fell for the scam, including Jenkins, who now looks after a dog named Max.
“When I found out about Christine it struck a nerve with me, she’s a vulnerable person who really wanted a companion dog,” Trujillo said.
