Dog scam demystified

A DOG-LOVER from Warwick who paid out £400 for a dog which did not exist has prompted a warning from trading standards officers.

The woman, who does not want to be named, responded to an internet advert for a bull terrier puppy which said it was free to a good home.

She contacted the seller who claimed he had recently moved from London to Aberdeen and could no longer take care of the dog. He then said he had handed it over to a company which specialised in moving pets.

After seeing pictures of a dog she believed to be the bull terrier, she paid £100 for the dog to be moved and a further £300 insurance, which she was told would be refunded.

it was only when she was asked for a further £200 that she became suspicious and contacted Warwickshire Trading Standards who were able to confirm it was an elaborate scam being run by criminals based in Cameroon. The dog never existed.

Trading standards are aiming to avoid others falling foul to a similar con.

Warwickshire Trading Standards spokesman Simon Cripwell said: "Beware of offers that seem too good to be true.

"Try to get a personal recommendation before buying from a company or individual you know nothing about and make sure you know where the company or individual is based and what their telephone number is.

"Don't be hurried along by your seller as this is often a tactic used by a fraudster to get you to make a mistake and if you are asked to pay by money transfer, think twice – this is a form of payment often used by fraudsters.

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