Puppy or pet sold online, with fee after fee before delivery
A seller online offers a puppy or other pet at a good price, then keeps adding charges for transport, a cage, vaccination, insurance or certificates, and the pet never arrives.
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How it works
- An ad on social media or a website shows lovely photos of a puppy, kitten or bird of a popular breed at a good price, usually from a seller in another city who offers home delivery.
- After you pay an advance by UPI or bank transfer, the seller or a "pet transport company" asks for more money for a cage, vaccination, a health certificate, insurance or delivery.
- Each payment is followed by a new charge, often with a story that the pet is stuck on the way, and the pet never arrives.
What it looks like
Example messages. Numbers and links are masked.
Golden Retriever puppies available, 45 days old, vaccinated, home delivery anywhere in India. Price Rs 9,000 only. WhatsApp for photos and videos.
Hello, we are the pet relocation team handling your puppy. It has reached the airport but needs a special travel cage and insurance. Pay Rs 7,500 now, fully refundable on delivery.
Red flags
- Price far below what breeders usually charge
- You cannot see the pet in person
- Seller avoids a live video call
- A new charge after every payment
- "Refundable" fees for cage or insurance
The one question to ask
Can you go and see the pet with the seller before you pay anything?
Already paid or shared details?
Call 1930 at once: in the first hour the money can often still be frozen before it moves on. Then call your bank on the number printed on your card, and file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in with screenshots of every message and payment.
1930 · cybercrime.gov.in
Also seen as
- Rare breed sold with a "breeder licence" fee
- Fake pet transport or relocation company