Consumer Blog
Puppy scams
Doesn't everyone love cute, fluffy and innocent puppies? It appears there is a new scheme to make money off of dog lovers. One Missouri consumer writes:
I have received an e-mail that is supposedly from a woman who is in Africa asking me to adopt her puppy. This seems to be a scam and I wanted to warn others about this email.
This is a scam and recipients of the e-mail are asked to send hundreds of dollars for "shipping fees." Scammers are successful by tugging at the heart strings of unsuspecting victims.
If you receive a similar e-mail, use common sense. Do not give any personal information, such as your social security and credit card numbers.
Further, if you wish to take action, file a complaint.
Technorati Tags: credit card, credit card number, dog lovers, email, id theft, identity theft, phishing, puppies, puppy, puppy scam, puppy scams, scams, social security card, social security number, moagoconsumer, consumer protection
Posted by on July 26, 2007 8:15 am :: Comments (32) :: Permalink
32 Responses to "Puppy scams"
says:
October 16, 2007 3:52 pm
Before, I read up on puppy scam.. I got scammed..
Is there anything you can do for other people..
I had just lost my yorshire Terrier.. She died sept 29,2007
I was checking the internet for puppies.. Well, the next day I get this note on e-mail
saying .. Her name was Cathy, and she was a yorkshire breeder.. Just sold her last puppies
to a jim Walcox. That I should connect him.. Well, you might know he's in Africa
a Rev.
Any, how, I called western Union and let them know.. They aren't suppose to send any more money to Africa..
I made all copies of everything they told me.. Plus, they even called me ,I have that phone number too.
Gloria
I really feel stupied about this now..
says:
October 16, 2007 4:24 pm
Our thanks to Gloria for sharing her personal story; which we hope will prevent more people from falling victims to such scams!
says:
October 21, 2007 9:48 pm
I am so glad I read your story or I might have been scammed Thank you. This is where we left off:
To make your payment Go to any WAL-MART Store around you and make the Payment of $300 via MONEYGRAM MONEY TRANSFER to shipper's name and address as stated below.
Name : Awode Kunle
Address: 212, International Airport Road, Lagos Nigeria
Question: God is
Answer:Love
says:
October 22, 2007 10:29 am
This scam just happend to me. I thought I was helping someone out, and trying to see the good in people. I have a lot of money to the guy because he came up with stories about problems with the custom clearance papers, medical certificates and much more. Its rediculous, people like that make it hard for people with real problems and concerns. I didnt know about these scams until just this week...... the American Public need to know about this and learn more.
says:
October 30, 2007 2:20 pm
I also was online trying to find a teacup yorkie and came across the same people as Gloria did on October 16th. I received an email from Chichi Everly and Cathy Lasondra. Their email address is lasondrapets@yahoo.com. She stated that she is a breeder and sold her last set of pups the Rev. Jim Walcox. He sent me an email as well stating that he is doing mission work in Africa and that he wants a good home for the pups. I was to only pay airfare. $300 for one and $600 for both. I was really sad when I came across this website of scams, but now I glad that I didnt do anything stupid.
says:
November 22, 2007 7:09 pm
Obviously this guys is still pulling the same scam. I sent a response about a yorkie and got a return email from him today. After reading the Africa deal I immediately had red flags because of the Dateline shows I have seen in the past. So, before I responded I googled his name and found this website. Needless to say I hope he read my response.
My heart goes out to anyone who might have fallen victim to this cruel mans scam. I thank each of you who didn't just sit by and got these postings up. Which prevented me and my family from being ripped off and heart broken.
says:
January 23, 2008 5:08 pm
I am so thankful that I came across this website today..My husband and I received an email from Rev. Jim Walcox stating that he was in Africa and needed a good home for "Larry" and "Debby" (supposedly his 2 Yorkshire puppies). Thank you for posting your comments. You saved my family the time and expense of trying to adopt puppies from this fraudulent person.
says:
January 29, 2008 9:35 am
I want to thank everyone. I was going to go to Wal Mart and send $200.00 for the puppies (Larry & Debby) I am so glad I google his name or I would of lost my money. He emailed me today.
says:
March 7, 2008 2:47 pm
I actually just got scammed. It was a first time looking onlie for a pup. I am out 200 dollars. Lesson learned and now I am stick to the old fashion way and going to a animal shelter.
says:
April 21, 2008 8:11 pm
apparently Awode Kunle has been busy coming up with other scams. I almost fell victim to an apartment rental scam in chicago. i viewed a unit in the building because the lessor "was out of the country and could not conduct a showing". i loved the unit i saw (which was the same) and was 5 minutes from giving them $1900 for rent/security deposit when i quickly googled the name and came to this website. thanks for posting otherwise i would have been completely screwed.... similar information for western union. Recievers Name: Awode Kunle Recievers Address: 44 M/M int Airport ajao est lagos Amount: $1900 Text Q: In God Text Ans: We trust BEWARE OF AWODE!
says:
April 21, 2008 8:16 pm
he even had photos of the interior via the leasing office webpage! i spent nearly a week replying to emails, asking questions (since he would not let me look) only to (THANK GOD!) find this website and stop wasting my time...
says:
July 16, 2008 6:35 pm
I got scammed this week by a guy named Sam Leonards and Fernandez Olatunji. 2 free yorkies if I e-mail sam.leonards01@googlemail.com and lsot $1600 in this deal. I feel very foolish for believeing in this scam. Do you know he is still trying to scam other people. my friend emailed him and he sent her the same message. I wish I had read up about or knew about these kinda of scams. I learned a very hard lesson the hard way. Cherie
says:
September 4, 2008 3:16 am
I almost got scammed... the 'doctor' emailed me right away asking for $200 for shipping, although he said the money was not the object - just getting the puppies new homes was what mattered.... glad I listened to my gut.... The puppy advertised has been bought by one Mrs Carolina and the pup is doing quite well with her and her family according to her recent update me about the pup welfare at her home. I want to refer you to one Dr. Osborn Parker He bought two puppies from me as well. He has been transfered to West Africa in continuations to his work as a Doctor. He went there with the two puppies he bought from me. Unfortunately, Africa is not the place for these type of dogs.He contacted me to find a caring parent that will adopt the dogs back to the USA.He had no time for them, also the african weather is so harsh for them according to him and this is really troubling him and his mission in West Africa. Contact Dr. Osborn Parker and tell him I refered you to him. He will be excited if he knows you are from me. Write Dr. Osborn Parker on his email address Below: dr.osbornparker@fastermail.com Get me informed as soon as you adopt the pups from him. Best Regards Suraj Suraj Garry [suraj_garry@yahoo.com]
says:
September 29, 2008 12:05 am
hi. i wondered if theres a scam with anyone named rev. john cenna, he wants to rent his apt. to me and im supp. 2 wire money to a FERNANDEZ OLATUNJI!!!! HELP!
says:
October 8, 2008 6:31 pm
Dont do it Kathy my daughter just got scammed by a Rev Chris that is in west africa and he had her send money to Fernandez Olatunji for his maltese puppies and guess what still NO puppies and now he is asking for another 250 for the puppies to be shipped!! Fernandez is suppose to be the supervisor of a shipping company in africa. his email is fernandezpetdelivery@deliveryman.com
says:
October 22, 2008 5:33 pm
I almost got caught in his trap. I've been e-mailing him for the past few days at Johnmorgan000@gmail.com. We just got to the stage where he asks for money and all that. He posed as Rev. John Morgan and is acting like he is in Africa on a missionary trip. He says that he brought his two bulldog puppies with him and that they cannot stand the heat over there and that he needs to get them back to the states. Has anyone heard this one yet?
says:
October 22, 2008 6:13 pm
He is now scamming people for english bulldogs He is still in west africa and posting ads in the washington post. please be ware of this still has the same money wiring address of fernandezpetdelivery so please watch out
says:
October 23, 2008 10:02 am
I'm so glad that I decided to look up the name of the person I was aboutto send 650.00 dollars tooo.I was suppose to be for two bulldog puppies for my hsband whom is sick.My mom ame across the ad in the paper is I emailed the guy and his name is john morgan and he is suppose to be a missonary in west africa and we had to send them 650 dolllars and the puppys would arrive in 2-3 days. thanks o much fr the heads up.God bless
says:
November 6, 2008 12:08 pm
i was caught up in the john morgan scam for over 4000.00 dollarsthe puppies left africa and went to london were the plane broke down and we needed to send a thousand dollars to put them on another plane we send it then there were 850.00 in taxes in shippers fees and a vet check so the next thing i know the puppies are in ky usa and they have a skin infection and a food alergy and are underweight so we need to send money for the meds first 300.00 then 850.00 then today they needed 950.00 more to treat the puppies to our door by noon tommarow please dont get caught like we did all the money goes to fernandez pet shipping company.this is the worst thing in the world to have happen.
says:
December 9, 2008 2:29 pm
I just started crying when I found out this was a scam can't believe how people like this can live with there lifes knowing others are basicaly giving there hard to earn money away to them. I'm so glad that i looked up his name. I just pray that everyone whos not sure lookes up his name too. This is what he said to me (Hello Dear, Thank you so much for your response. I appreciate your interest on my babies and I want you to know that I only need a caring parent for these babies' who will take proper care of them like the children of the house because they are my real babies and I love them that much more. I will like you to assure me that you will be a person that (Adam) deserve for good care and happiness of a life time in his new home. I will also like you to keep me posted with pictures from time to time when the baby have been happily delivered into your home. I will need you to give me your shipping address where you want the baby to be shipped and also the name of the nearest airport closer to you with a valid telephone number to be able to call you for the shipment. Delivery will take only 24 hrs it's a nextday delivery to your home door step and I will call to give you the tracking number once the shipment is done so that you will be able to monitor the shipment online. Below are the information to send out the money through Western Union Money Transfer. Receiver's name: Jim Walcox State:Lagos Country:Nigeria Question: Who is your creator? Answer: God Zipcode:23401 I will be waiting to have the MTCN number and the sender's information when you finished making the payment so that I will be able to confirm your payment once it's done and shipping commence immeidately to your door step. Waiting to hear back from you soon. Regards, Jim Walcox . --- On Tue, 12/9/08, Leticia Halverson wrote: From: Leticia Halverson Subject: RE: Maltese pupies To: "reverent maltese" Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 2:12 AM Thanks for writing back. I would love to buy Adam the male. For $500 but how can we make that possible? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Mon, 8 Dec 2008 03:39:48 -0800 From: j_walcox@yahoo.com Subject: Re: Maltese pupies To: Letty Yes!!! I sent the breeder to find a caring parent for my babies. I use to live in the USA before I got a divine call to serve God and humanity here in West Africa and this gave me little or no time for my babies. The weather here is also not lenient with my babies. They hardly come outside with me because of the weather. I want to get them adopted back to The USA where they will be sent back to the weather they were acquainted with before. My babies are 4 months old; they are AKC registered, current on all shots. Health certified. Loves to be cuddled and loves to play. They are home trained. I am asking $900 for my two babies and one for $500. You will promise me that you will be sending their pictures to me in every 2 months as an update with regards to how they are doing with you in your home. I love them so much but they will be missed. They are my real babies. Please treat them as though they were your babies. Their names are Adam and Eve I am attaching their pictures for you to view them. I can't wait to hear from you ASAP. God bless you, Rev Jim Walcox. I hope this helps.
says:
January 15, 2009 4:28 pm
I have got an email frome this rev jim walcox as welland i had a friend get scammed by the same guy what are her options to get her money back from this guy
says:
January 20, 2009 5:57 pm
hello I was checking the website craiglist and I found a lady with maltese puppy and i e-mail her and she e-mail me back and said that she had just gotten rid of the puppy to some one in NC and if I want one she know of a man j. walcox and he is in africa the same scam. but I said this might be a scam so i went to google and type his mane in and low and behold i found that he is doing a scam. that is wrong and using God do he know just how much trouble he's getting him self in God said whatsoever a man sow that shall he reap. and man he's goint to reap a lot. everybody be careful look out for these scammers
says:
January 24, 2009 10:16 pm
I posted a bullitein about me and my husband of how we were unable to conceive a child. That we wanted a puppy that we could add to our family so we could have something to love as much as we would love our precious child. Well a lady replied told me about this man a preacher in west Africa, (Jim Wilcox) She told me that he would be so happy to here from me cause he wanted a home for his precious dogs. So I emailed him and asked him about his pups. he emailed me back and told me that he would be charging 250 to put them on the plane to get them her and then it would be an additional 500 per dog. I sent him back a message told him I couldn't afford anything like that cause it was outrageous and he emailed me back asked me what I could afford. I had a light kinda go off in my head and I was like humm let me think about that so I never emailed him back logged on to craigslist today ran across this bulletin and sunk down in my chair he really has no idea how devested I would have been about this scam he pulls. Its not the fact of losing the money its the fact that it could have been the cliosest thing that I could have had to a child and how crushed I would have been.
says:
January 26, 2009 6:15 pm
I almost got fooled by the John Morgan scam -- we need to spread word on this like wildfire. This is so disgusting what they are doing to people and they almost got me. This is rediculus! Thank goodness I am somewhat savvy and thought to google it before sending any money!
says:
January 27, 2009 10:17 am
So I was checking the Exchange newspaper last week, looking for a bulldog puppy for my fiance. I found an add from a Rev. James Freeman, it said he had 2 bulldog puppies for free. So I emailed him, he said that when he had placed the ad he was still in the states, but he had gotten a call to go to africa because he was a missionary, so in turn since no one had responded to his ad in time he took his "babies" with him. Here is the email he sent me: revjames55@gmail.com Hello, Thank you very much and i'm very very happy to read from you about your response on taking good care of the babies. they are 10 weeks old and both home trained and outdoor trained also playful with other animals and kids. The male named (Max) weigh 10 Pounds and the female named (Bella) weigh 9 Pounds and will weigh big when fully grown. they are both A K C registered and shots are given up to date and both home trained. both of them are my darling sweetheart and super spoiled! They both have a sweet personality and loves to play and be carried around. But i'm very sorry to tell you that it is too late for you to get the babies now. What really happened was that i just left the state for africa in some few days ago after i posted the the ad on the newspspper and before i left, i did not get any response from anybody that could take very good care of them for me. So i got a missionary call from our missionary headquaters in africa, t hen i have to bring the babies along with me here in africa since i couldn't find someone to adopt them before i left the state. I'm still willing to give the babies out to someone who can take very good care of them for me forever. All papers will accompany the puppies when shipped to you, Due to our long staying over here in africa, and the bad weather my Wife and I have concluded to get good home and care for our babies. We are not charging or selling them to you for money but to save thier lifes saved and care for them so this means that, you and i will be paying for the shipment of the puppies to you. they are VET checked, but right now we are in Africa on a Christian mission with my wife and 3 kids together with Bella and Max, we have the puppies right here with us. We are going to ship to you via a Diplomatic Courier Service Company with Express Delivery on next day delivery, if you are really interested in having my little babies, i want you to get back to me with your full Name , Home Address, direct contact phone number and name of the nearest Airport to you. Please if you know that you are not capable of taking very good care of my babies, do not reply me because i am giving them out because of bad condition and we're spending months for the christain mission and i don't want Bella and max to die in this bad weather. And because we don't have time to take care of them due to the missionary work before us here. They are priceless to me,therefore i am giving both for free, so i will like you to get back to me with the Below information i can find out shipping cost to your Nearest Airport, and we both responsible for the shipping cost Your Full Name : Your Mailing Address: Your Tel #: Your Cel Phone #: The Nearest Airport To You: I've attached pics of Bella and Max. Please i want you to promise me that you will take very good care of them as soon as they get to you. Thank you and God bless you and your family. Regards, Rev James Freeman And then he sent me another one with shipping information and costs. We are still in contact with him, because he doesn't realize I know it's a scam. So I'm seeing how much info I can get. But others please beware, it's kinda heartbreaking when you find out those puppies aren't even real. Brandie (Eastern Washington, USA)
says:
January 28, 2009 4:15 pm
I also about got scammed from Rev Jim Walcox. I am so thankful that I found this website. I found on craigslist that a maltese puppy was for sale so I sent the "owner" (nikesandra70@yahoo.com) an email and she told me to email Rev Jim Walcox in Africa (j.walcox@gmail.com). He wanted $500 for 2 maltese puppies. Adam who is 3 mths old and Eve who is 4 wks old. He even included pictures of them. He said the $500 included shipping which seemed a little cheap since it's coming from West Africa. Even included his phone number +234-802-439-5583. I have kept the emails just in case they are needed for any further information about this. I hope they will be caught because with the economy these days, no one can afford to be scammed. Thank you
says:
February 18, 2009 10:32 am
ok well as of today i was about to send out money for 2 maltese puppies that as well started on craigslist and he stated that he sold the last one to a lady in chicago. I then was redirected to a pastor who went to africa on a missonary this pastor name is donkore smith so they must be changing up there names i was just about to go send the money and decided to google maltese puppies named adam and eve and look everthing he told yall i was told send pics of them ,bring them back to the states where they are already adpapted to the weather everything i have all the emails as well i will turn this over to the police and there is a journlist that has been working this out in vegas i have givin him a call as well hopefully other people do there homework before doing this scam i was very close to sending the money today im so gulliable
says:
March 24, 2009 10:46 am
My husband & I almost got scammed from this Fernandez Olatunji. We too saw an add in our local paper for 2 Yorkie Puppies for adoption. The email address was revjamesdalton@gmail.com. We immediatley received an email back from this "rev" saying he was in Africa on a missionary. After about 5 emails back & fourth we finally agreed to send this "Rev" money from Western Union & the receivers name was Olatunji Fernandez & the company who was supposed to ship the animals was called worldwide pet shipping. Well, the so call "Rev" called my home phone & had a heavy Nigerian accent saying he was this James Dalton. I knew right then & there it was a scam, but agreed to send hm the money.We also asked the "Rev" what church he is affiliated with because we wanted to make a donation for this missionary, he ignored my question & kept asking when I will be sending the money. As soon as I hung up the phone I googled the Fernandez & worldwide pet shipping & found all these adds with puppy scams. Good thing we looked. I can see how many people could fall for this scam. These people should be ashamed of themselves! I never responded back to this man who emails me daily still thinking he is going to scam my family & I. I figured it best tp just ignore his emails rather than to send nasty emails (which I really anted to do). Like a fool, I gave these people my home address & phone #'s. People beware of this man!
says:
April 20, 2009 3:17 am
My roommate and dear friend Michelle has fallen for this scam, she won't listen to me when i tell her this add in a newspaper of reverend stevemarshal43@yahoo.com is a lie who's yorkies are in danger in Lagos,Nigeria so to send only $450 dollars for the 2 puppies and send the money to Olantunji Fernandez in that city using the lord's name makes me sick!!! i will show her this site that i found and maybe she will believe me. We need to stop this!!! Using puppies for animal lovers and using the name of God the whole thing is just SO SO SO WRONG!!!!!
says:
April 20, 2009 3:28 am
To everybody out there!!
Do not fall for the story (with a new name!!) of REVEREND STEVE MARSHAL OR MARSHALL and the story of his Yorkies almost dying in Africa or Lagos Nigeria is a lie!!!! My friend Michelle still don't believe me they are asking for "ONLY 450 DOLLARS!!!!!" and she will get them in 2 days he can't answer a lot of concerns i asked for my friend!!! This Olantunji Fernandez and this "REVEREND"!!!! are fake do NOT SEND ANY MONEY!!! go to any yorkie rescue group or the humane society if you want to have and save a life i did twice!!! and can't ask for better and loving pets!!!!
says:
April 29, 2009 8:10 pm
I've had the same experiance as you all but thanks to you people who posted this scam already, I didn't proceed to buy the puppies. I've been wanting to get my family member a small lap dog for a while and I noticed in the paper that a person with an email of johnmorgan000@gmail.com was selling them. Ya, I read his email and was like... SCAM! So just to be sure I read up on it and sure enough! Thank you all so much for posting this otherwise I might have given in to wanting a lap dog too badly for my family member.
says:
May 11, 2009 12:15 pm
I just received this email. I knew immediately it was a scam. My name is Pastor Steve .J. I have (2)English bulldog puppies (male and female)and (2) Gorgeous T-cup yorkie puppies (male and female) ,pls specify and let me know the one that interest you . Contact me for pictures and details only if you are interested . I am giving them out to a lovely and caring home who will have them spoil with lots of care Note : I am giving them out because of my transfer to United Kingdom where i am newly appointed to preach the ministry . May God bless you as you come . Thanks and Regards Pastor Steve .J I have contacted him regarding the bulldog just to see what he says. If they are going to scam us why not play them a little lol.
