I advertised a dog we need to get rid of and I’ve had five responses, all from men claiming to need the dog for their families. The emails are full of gramatical errors (though they call themselves businessmen) and just seem suspicious. Also, why would so many people want to purchase our mutt when we can’t even give it away locally? Is there some type of black market for pet research animals? Could they be looking for personal information in some type of identity theft?
Has anyone received suspicious emails on petfinder.com?
I advertised a dog we need to get rid of and I’ve had five responses, all from men claiming to need the dog for their families. The emails are full of gramatical errors (though they call themselves businessmen) and just seem suspicious. Also, why would so many people want to purchase our mutt when we can’t even give it away locally? Is there some type of black market for pet research animals? Could they be looking for personal information in some type of identity theft?
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January 30th, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Yes there is a black market for pet research animals. DONT sell your dog to these people!
My suggestion, talk to the spca or humane society. They can give you tips and help you out. But please be careful…if your gut is telling you something is wrong, then listen to it
February 2nd, 2009 at 3:02 am
That happened with my duck. It’s a scam. It’s for identity theft.
February 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
They are trying to do some sort of scam. Ignore them. If someone is serious, they would come meet with you, give vet references and be willing to pay an adoption fee. Never offer a dog for free, that’s why you are getting odd emails.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
When you suspect something fishy going on with stuff on email, you should contact the FBI. The FBI can operate across state lines, but your local authorities can’t. What you have described is a very similar eerieness that some of the lines I have heard people that have and are involved with horse slaughter to purchase individual horses.
Some time ago, I had read where people had written in stating the men they spoke to on the phone said they were businessmen and they had a long line of organizations that were waiting to get the old, sick, mamed, and unwanted horses. Really. What organization other than possibly the equine rescues, is willing to pay money for old, crippled and sick horses. If these people were from the equine rescues, they would have stated so and which one they were involved in.
February 6th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I have been selling horses online for many years. I use 8 different sites to advertise them on. Some sites are worse than other for scam emails. They are usually full of grammar errors, as you said, usually end with Regards or Cheers, and don’t say anything about the specific item for sale. They usually are trying to scam you out of money and the item, but in your case where you are giving the pet away, I have a feeling these people are either never going to go through with the deal or take the dog and do something horrible to it. Don’t email them back and report them to petfinder.