Puppy peril: that dog you want to buy online may be a scam
Adverts for puppies pop up all the time on pet selling sites, online marketplaces and social media. They are not all fake, but in among the real Rovers are some faux furry friends.
The main scam involves advertising a pet that doesn't exist. You pay the deposit – maybe after a conversation with the 'seller' or even a video call – and then nothing. You may have been given details of a collection point, but if you turn up, you will be disappointed.
Kate Margolis, from the Cotswolds, England, was scammed when she was looking for a golden retriever puppy.
'I didn't know much at the time, so I simply Googled 'golden retriever breeder' and found what looked like a really polished website, full of glowing testimonials, professional-looking photos, and even what seemed like credentials and assurances around licensing,' she says.
'I filled out a form on the site, and the breeder called me almost immediately. They sounded knowledgable and walked me through the whole process using all the right terminology, which I didn't understand at the time, but it helped build trust. They told me the litter was due at Christmas and the puppies would be ready to collect in February, but I'd need to put down a deposit to reserve one.'
She paid £500 by bank transfer, then the seller went quiet. 'When I eventually chased them, they told me the puppy I had reserved had 'eaten plastic and died'. After that, they vanished. I was left with no puppy, no answers and no refund,' she says.
'Since then, I discovered my story's not unusual … scammers create fake listings with stolen puppy photos, make up heart-tugging backstories, and use every trick in the book to get you to send money fast.'
Margolis has since set up an app called Petproov, which UK sellers and buyers can use to verify ID and paperwork.
The advert appears genuine – there's a description of the animal and a photo. The seller may say that there is only one of a litter of pups left, to make you feel like you need to act urgently.
You may be supplied with all of the answers to your questions, and may even get to 'meet' the animal online in a video call. When the time to pay comes, you will be asked to do so with a bank transfer.
Use reputable adoption/rehoming charities and breeders – in the UK the Kennel Club has ended its Approved Breeder programme, so you will need to do your own research.
Ask lots of questions. In the UK, the Kennel Club has lots of information about what to ask and what paperwork you should be able to see. So does the RSPCA – it says a good breeder should be happy to complete a Puppy Contract giving full details of the animal you are buying.
Check if the photo has been used before. Scammers often steal pictures from other websites to use in their adverts, and a reverse image search on Google will reveal if your prospective pooch's portrait has been used elsewhere.
Arrange to visit the puppy in person and with its mother before you commit to anything. Do not be panicked into paying in order to secure a visit.
'Phrases like 'Can you pay now to hold the puppy?' are a common red flag,' says Margolis. 'Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it probably is.'
Ask for ID and check it, says Margolis. 'A legit breeder should be happy to show ID, vet records, and proof that the pup has been microchipped,' she says.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Man left ex-partner's dead body on his sofa for three years, court told
For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man who found his ex-partner dead on his sofa left her there undiscovered for years, a court heard. Jamie Stevens, 51, covered up the body of Anouska Sites upon finding her dead body in January 2023 and continued living in the flat in Torquay, Devon. Ms Sites' body remained in the lounge of the property before her remains were discovered in May 2025. Stevens, of Reddenhill Road, Torquay, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice and on Monday was jailed for 14 months. Exeter Crown Court heard that the last known sighting of Ms Sites was in May 2022, and her remains were not discovered until May 2025. Hollie Gilbery, prosecuting, told the court Ms Sites was reported missing to the police in April 2023. 'Inquiries confirmed she had last been seen by police in May the previous year,' she said. 'Unfortunately, due to her vulnerabilities, including mental health problems and addictions, she had been in fairly regular contact with the police.' Ms Gilbery said contact was made with Stevens as a former partner of Ms Sites in April this year, making inquiries about her whereabouts. 'He told the police he had no contact with Ms Sites since February or March 2022,' she said. On May 27, the police spoke with Stevens again and he told them he was no longer living at the flat in Upton Road, so officers went round and gained entry. 'The officers who attended described the flat as being like that of a hoarder with rubbish, faeces and bottled urine scattered throughout the property,' Ms Gilbery said. 'Police started to search the flat, and upon lifting a blanket in the living area they discovered a skeletal arm and hand. 'Officers did notice there were various fragranced items scattered around the lounge, inferring they must have been to mask any smells.' open image in gallery Jamie Stevens was jailed for 14 months at Exeter Crown Court ( Devon and Cornwalll Police/PA Wire ) Stevens, who was in a relationship with Ms Sites between 2011 and 2014, was arrested and told police it was her body. 'He explained she had come to his flat around January 2023 asking if she could stay the night,' the prosecutor said. 'He went to his own bed and left her sleeping in the living room. 'The next day he had gone out, returning at about 11.30pm, assuming that Ms Sites would have left, but instead he found her on the sofa. 'He explained he threw a blanket over her body and continued to live in his bedroom and never really returned to the lounge.' The second charge related to Stevens lying to police in a witness statement about his knowledge of the whereabouts of Ms Sites. Paul Dentith, defending, described Stevens's actions in not reporting the death of Ms Sites as a 'passive failure'. 'Until he signs the statement saying he hasn't seen Ms Sites for a number of years,' he said. 'That is the perverting the course of justice, which moves it to more than just passive non-reporting. 'Perhaps obvious, but when one fails to report something so serious in the first day or so, it becomes rather self-perpetuating. 'The fear of reporting it… even a week or so later.' Mr Dentith said Stevens had told him: 'Ms Sites was a lovely person, my partner, my friend, and I was devastated when she died, and I miss her terribly. She deserved better.' Jailing Stevens for 14 months, Judge Anna Richardson said: 'This is an absolutely tragic case. 'You were in a relationship with Anouska Sites. Ms Sites had a number of difficulties, including substance misuse. 'It seems at some time between mid-2022 and April 2023 Miss Sites went missing. She was not reported missing until April this year. 'There is no reason on the basis of the post-mortem to doubt your account of having found Miss Sites dead in your address. 'It seems you completely wrongly panicked and simply covered her body. You left her there for years.'
The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Man left ex-partner's dead body on his sofa for more than two years, court told
A man who found his ex-partner dead on his sofa left her there undiscovered for years, a court heard. Jamie Stevens, 51, covered up the body of Anouska Sites upon finding her dead body in January 2023 and continued living in the flat in Torquay, Devon. Ms Sites' body remained in the lounge of the property before her remains were discovered in May 2025. Stevens, of Reddenhill Road, Torquay, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of preventing a lawful burial and perverting the course of justice and on Monday was jailed for 14 months. Exeter Crown Court heard that the last known sighting of Ms Sites was in May 2022, and her remains were not discovered until May 2025. Hollie Gilbery, prosecuting, told the court Ms Sites was reported missing to the police in April 2023. 'Inquiries confirmed she had last been seen by police in May the previous year,' she said. 'Unfortunately, due to her vulnerabilities, including mental health problems and addictions, she had been in fairly regular contact with the police.' Ms Gilbery said contact was made with Stevens as a former partner of Ms Sites in April this year, making inquiries about her whereabouts. 'He told the police he had no contact with Ms Sites since February or March 2022,' she said. On May 27, the police spoke with Stevens again and he told them he was no longer living at the flat in Upton Road, so officers went round and gained entry. 'The officers who attended described the flat as being like that of a hoarder with rubbish, faeces and bottled urine scattered throughout the property,' Ms Gilbery said. 'Police started to search the flat, and upon lifting a blanket in the living area they discovered a skeletal arm and hand. 'Officers did notice there were various fragranced items scattered around the lounge, inferring they must have been to mask any smells.' Stevens, who was in a relationship with Ms Sites between 2011 and 2014, was arrested and told police it was her body. 'He explained she had come to his flat around January 2023 asking if she could stay the night,' the prosecutor said. 'He went to his own bed and left her sleeping in the living room. 'The next day he had gone out, returning at about 11.30pm, assuming that Ms Sites would have left, but instead he found her on the sofa. 'He explained he threw a blanket over her body and continued to live in his bedroom and never really returned to the lounge.' The second charge related to Stevens lying to police in a witness statement about his knowledge of the whereabouts of Ms Sites. Paul Dentith, defending, described Stevens's actions in not reporting the death of Ms Sites as a 'passive failure'. 'Until he signs the statement saying he hasn't seen Ms Sites for a number of years,' he said. 'That is the perverting the course of justice, which moves it to more than just passive non-reporting. 'Perhaps obvious, but when one fails to report something so serious in the first day or so, it becomes rather self-perpetuating. 'The fear of reporting it… even a week or so later.' Mr Dentith said Stevens had told him: 'Ms Sites was a lovely person, my partner, my friend, and I was devastated when she died, and I miss her terribly. She deserved better.' Jailing Stevens for 14 months, Judge Anna Richardson said: 'This is an absolutely tragic case. 'You were in a relationship with Anouska Sites. Ms Sites had a number of difficulties, including substance misuse. 'It seems at some time between mid-2022 and April 2023 Miss Sites went missing. She was not reported missing until April this year. 'There is no reason on the basis of the post-mortem to doubt your account of having found Miss Sites dead in your address. 'It seems you completely wrongly panicked and simply covered her body. You left her there for years.'
The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Cocaine-fuelled mother died with 15-month-old son ‘after collision with school bus'
A mother, who was driving under the influence of cocaine, and her 15-month-old son died when their car was in collision with a school bus. Sian Goffin, 31, suffered fatal injuries in the collision in Mullion, Cornwall, in October last year. Her son, Jago Bawden, was also fatally injured and died three days later in Bristol Children's Hospital, Cornwall Coroner's Court heard. Post-mortem examinations found Ms Goffin and her son, who were from Mullion, had both died from traumatic brain injuries. In a written ruling, Assistant Coroner Guy Davies said: 'Sian Goffin died at Derriford Hospital on October 16 from injuries sustained when the car that Sian was driving collided with a double decker bus on October 14. 'The collision took place on B3296, Meaver Road, Mullion. 'The reason for the collision was because Sian lost control of her car whilst under the influence of a controlled drug, namely cocaine.' Referring to her son, Mr Davies said: 'Jago Bawden died from injuries sustained when the car in which Jago was a passenger collided with a double decker bus. 'The reason for the collision was because of driver error by the driver of the car in which Jago was a passenger.' Mr Davies recorded a conclusion of road traffic collision.
