Puppy / pet scam
Adorable pet listings that vanish after you pay a deposit.
How it works
You find a perfect puppy on Gumtree or a slick breeder site. The 'breeder' is interstate, asks for a deposit, then for transport insurance, then for a special crate — each fee on top of the last.
Common scenarios to watch for
This scam shows up in several different shapes. Recognise the pattern, not just one message.
Interstate breeder
Cute photos, low price, can't visit because they're interstate. Deposit + transport + 'climate crate' + insurance — fees escalate.
"Cavoodle pup ready, $1,200 includes Perth–Sydney transport. $400 deposit holds her."
Red flags to spot
- Is the seller interstate and unable to arrange an in-person meeting?
- Are there escalating fees (deposit, transport, insurance, crate)?
- Is the price well below what reputable breeders charge?
- Can you verify the breeder through a registered association?
Fake rescue group
A 'rescue' on Facebook needs adoption fees to fly dogs in from overseas. Photos are stolen from real rescues.
"Sweet rescue Buddy in Greece needs a home — $850 adoption + flight fee gets him to you."
Red flags to spot
- Is the rescue group new or unknown with no verifiable history?
- Are the pet photos appearing on multiple unrelated pages?
- Are you being asked for large fees before any vetting or home check?
- Can you find the rescue registered as a charity or non-profit?
Lost-pet reward scam
Replies to lost-pet posts saying they 'found' the pet interstate and need transport fees. They've never seen the pet.
"I found your cat in Brisbane! Send $280 for the carrier and I'll fly her home tomorrow."
Red flags to spot
- Did they provide a specific photo of your pet in their possession?
- Are they asking for transport fees before returning the pet?
- Did they contact you through a method that doesn't match your lost-pet poster?
- Are they rushing you to send money before you can verify they have the pet?
Red flags
- 🚩Price well below other breeders
- 🚩Can't video call to see the puppy live
- 🚩Multiple add-on fees after the deposit
- 🚩Same photos appear on other listings (reverse image search)
What to do
- 1Always meet the pet and the breeder in person before paying.
- 2Reverse-image-search the photos.
- 3Use registered breeders via your state's breeder registry.
Who's targeted
- Families looking for a specific breed at short notice.
- Buyers who can't easily travel to inspect interstate.
Why it works
- Emotional attachment to the photos overrides caution.
- Each new 'transport' or 'insurance' fee is small compared to the deposit already paid.
Common variations
Different shapes of the same scam — recognise the pattern.
- 1Interstate breeder requiring deposit + transport fee.
- 2Overseas 'rescue' charity dog needing customs payment.
- 3Free puppy 'just pay shipping' on Facebook groups.
If you've already been scammed
- 1Stop paying further fees — there is no puppy.
- 2Dispute payments with your bank or PayPal.
- 3Report the listing to the platform and to Scamwatch.
Frequently asked
Should I pay a deposit before meeting the puppy?▾
No — meet the animal in person, ideally with the mother.
Are registered breeders safe?▾
Mostly — verify with the state breeder registry and ANKC papers.
Can I get my money back?▾
Card / PayPal payments may be reversible. Bank transfers and crypto rarely are.
Questions people ask about this scam
- How does the puppy / pet scam work?
- You find a perfect puppy on Gumtree or a slick breeder site. The 'breeder' is interstate, asks for a deposit, then for transport insurance, then for a special crate — each fee on top of the last.
- What are the warning signs of a puppy / pet scam?
- Watch for: Price well below other breeders; Can't video call to see the puppy live; Multiple add-on fees after the deposit; Same photos appear on other listings (reverse image search).
- How can I tell if this is a scam?
- Stop and verify independently. Contact the organisation using details you look up yourself, never the ones in the message, and don't act on urgency. You can also paste the message into the ScamShield AI scam checker for a risk assessment — it gives guidance, not a guarantee.
- What should I do if I clicked the link or replied?
- Stop all contact, change the password on any account you logged into and turn on two-factor authentication, and watch your accounts for changes you didn't make. Always meet the pet and the breeder in person before paying. Reverse-image-search the photos. Use registered breeders via your state's breeder registry.
- What should I do if I already sent money?
- Contact your bank immediately and ask about stopping or recalling the payment, keep all evidence, then report the scam. Be wary of anyone who later offers to recover your money for a fee.
- Where should Australians report this scam?
- Report scams to Scamwatch (National Anti-Scam Centre), report cybercrime to ReportCyber, forward scam texts to 7726, and contact IDCARE if identity details were exposed. Contact your bank first if money is involved.
General scam awareness information. ScamShield AI cannot guarantee that every scam will be detected or that a message is legitimate.