Mount Forest resident loses $2k in puppy scam: OPP

A generic image of a puppy. (Pexels/Meet Dagar)

A Mount Forest resident allegedly lost $2,000 after attempting to buy a puppy online.

On Monday afternoon, Wellington County OPP received a received a report of fraud.

Police said the victim engaged in an online sale through a popular social media platform with unknown suspects posing as dog breeders.

The victim paid for the puppy via e-transfer.

Later, the suspects said additional funds were needed to transport the puppy from a location in Northern Ontario.

“The victim eventually became skeptical of the situation and contacted police,” OPP said in a news release.

Police said it is common for scammers to impersonate legitimate sellers to exploit consumers for financial gain or data theft. Often, fraudsters often create accounts on legitimate auction and online marketplace websites. Products could be on sale for low prices, enticing you to buy them.

“If you do end up receiving the product, it might be of poor quality or a bad imitation of what you expected,” police said.

Alternatively, fraudsters might lure you into clicking on a harmful link to a seemingly genuine website.

OPP offered tips to protect yourself:

• Be wary of websites that contain grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.
• Only buy from companies or individuals you know by reputation or from past experience.
• Look for reviews but remember that some can be fake!
• Analyze the seller’s profile: where are they located? How old is their profile? Are they using a stock photo as their profile picture?
• Use a credit card when shopping online - many offer protections and may give you a refund
• Know the market value of the item you’re buying
• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it likely is
• Fraudsters will often create a sense of urgency and try to pressure a buyer into a deal

If you are the recipient of a fraudulent call, text, or email, or if you have been a victim of a fraud, you are encouraged to report the incident to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre by calling 1-888-495-8501 or go to their website.