Internet Scams
Recently, I was bored at work and decided to browse the classifieds at Sacbee.com. As I made my way to the 'pets' section, I saw an ad for a Yorkie Puppy-up for adoption. I thought..."what the heck, I'll send the advertiser an e-mail" this can be done rather easily through the Sac Bee website, at the bottom of the ad. So, I sent them a message asking the price to adopt the dog. (I think yorkies are the cutest damn things I have ever seen.) I continued browsing and saw a few other ads that I also sent messages to. I received 5 e-mails back concerning my interest in the dog. All of them, yes ALL of them had basically the same story. The one below has the most detail, although one of them I received included an address to send the Western union to. Most of them referenced a company that ships animals. I contacted them and informed them of their cooperation (albeit unknowingly) in this scam. I also called Sac Bee classified ads to inform them of these 'stories'and they are pulling all the ads. In the meantime, I think I am going to reply to these 'Missionaries' and tell them that; " I think I have changed my mind about getting a Yorkie , as it seems that most people who own them get sent off to Africa on some mission!!"
All in all, I think this is one of the most creative scams I have heard or read about recently. Kudos to the person who thought this one up.
Below is a sample e-mail of the responses I have received about that dog.
Hi..
Thanks for your interest in my puppy,i want you to know that my puppy is still available,she is still for sale,she is fully AKC registered with all shots up to date including all necessary health document and certificate ready for shipment,she is lovely with kids and wants to meet her new family.At full grown she will weigh 3.5-4lbs,her dad weighed 3.7 lbs and her mom weighed 4lbs at full grown.She is 11 weeks now. She is a pure breed yorkie.
Actually my wife and I are in West Africa on a Christian mission in Nigeria to be precise,we are here for missionary trip from the united states.We used to live in Sacramento CA with our lovely puppy,but since we left for the missionary trip we have to leave our puppy with a shipping agent located in Houston Texas,we could not bring our lovely puppy here in africa due to the harsh weather conditions here,so that is why we are looking for a good home for our lovely puppy named Kiss.
If you are interested in our lovely baby,get back to me with your full
name,address,contact and direct phone number we can reach you ,and the nearest airport to your home so we can proceed shipment on this puppy to your home,the puppy will be shipped by Express pet delivery.I am giving her for free,for you to get this baby,you only need to pay shipping fee of $300 because we really need a good home for my baby.I will only accept payment via Western union or money gram,that't the only way i would be able to receive payment here.If you are interested,get back to us as soon as possible.You can reach me +2348027484176.Get back to me as soon as possible..
Hope to read from you soon.
All in all, I think this is one of the most creative scams I have heard or read about recently. Kudos to the person who thought this one up.
Below is a sample e-mail of the responses I have received about that dog.
Hi..
Thanks for your interest in my puppy,i want you to know that my puppy is still available,she is still for sale,she is fully AKC registered with all shots up to date including all necessary health document and certificate ready for shipment,she is lovely with kids and wants to meet her new family.At full grown she will weigh 3.5-4lbs,her dad weighed 3.7 lbs and her mom weighed 4lbs at full grown.She is 11 weeks now. She is a pure breed yorkie.
Actually my wife and I are in West Africa on a Christian mission in Nigeria to be precise,we are here for missionary trip from the united states.We used to live in Sacramento CA with our lovely puppy,but since we left for the missionary trip we have to leave our puppy with a shipping agent located in Houston Texas,we could not bring our lovely puppy here in africa due to the harsh weather conditions here,so that is why we are looking for a good home for our lovely puppy named Kiss.
If you are interested in our lovely baby,get back to me with your full
name,address,contact and direct phone number we can reach you ,and the nearest airport to your home so we can proceed shipment on this puppy to your home,the puppy will be shipped by Express pet delivery.I am giving her for free,for you to get this baby,you only need to pay shipping fee of $300 because we really need a good home for my baby.I will only accept payment via Western union or money gram,that't the only way i would be able to receive payment here.If you are interested,get back to us as soon as possible.You can reach me +2348027484176.Get back to me as soon as possible..
Hope to read from you soon.