I enquired about an advert on Free-ads, the people from 'Dudley' were advertising a puppy free to good home. On reply email they said the puppy was still available but they are now located in Plymouth and gave a number to phone. I thought out of courtesy, that I would phone them and tell them that this was now too far for me to travel to collect the puppy.
When I called them they said that it was not a problem and that they could arrange delivery through a pet courier for a cost, when would I like the puppy to be delivered. It was arranged that the puppy would be delivered to me on Wednesday and that I would be contacted by the delivery firm to confirm delivery time. On Wednesday morning I recieved an email from "Pet Air Home Delivery Services" asking me to pay the delivery fee via moneygram through the post office and then call them to confirm with the 8 digit reference number. This I did and they told me I would recieve an email to confirm delivery details.
I recieved an email to say that unfortunately the puppy could not be delivered until an insurance had been paid (Mada Insurance) and this would cost me 400, also to paid via moneygram through the post office (to an address in Cameroon). I called them to say that it was not possible and that I had no more money. They suggested I contact the seller. I then did this and he asked me how much I could afford to pay and when as he would pay the other amount. I told him that this was totally unreasonable as I hadn't been informed of this extra charge, but he insisted that the puppy was now in my name and all documents and dog were ready for transportation. I informed him that I could provide 100 on Saturday. He said the dog would therefore be delivered on saturday. I am so glad I found these other reports before parting with anymore money, I await his phonecall on Saturday to ask me where the money is, as I am certainly not parting with any more money for a non-existent dog to not be delivered.
I did try and see if I could get my money back from the moneygram, but on calling customer services, they informed me that the money had been collected 10 minutes after I had sent it!
Please beware of these scammers: Sunita U, Saaghi Gordon, Pet Air Delivery Services in Plymouth, Mada Insurance inc - supposedly Plymouth, who went into recievership ages ago and a Mrs Rowlings who was named to be delivering the puppy. These people obviously have no heart and use the heartstrings of the British animal loving nation to con money out of us. I feel so embarassed that I fell for this, but have learnt my lesson and unfortunately for all those others who have been scammed by these people - it is nice to know I'm not the only one. A big thanks to those others who have reported this as it has truly saved me money.
Also for reference, Moneygram have logged "scammers" against the names of those involved and can warn others that they are about to have money stolen from them.
Sian, prestatyn
Prestatyn
United Kingdom
0 comments