There are so many online ads, websites, groups and pages offering Teacup Yorkies for sale that you rarely know who to trust – as the victims in New Jersey, New York, Florida and other places have painfully discovered.
Basil A. Mummery, a Canadian businessman who lives in Ontario, raised thousands of dollars from each of the eager buyers who responded to his ads on a website called tiny-teacups.com, Wayne police said.
Then he hung up.
Wayne detectives who investigated after a county resident was duped learned of other victims in several states, including Louisiana and South Carolina.
“The victims transferred thousands of dollars to him, but they never received a puppy,” said Detective Captain Dan Daly. “Eventually, the contact was interrupted.”
If Mummery sets foot in the United States and is arrested, police subpoenas are waiting for him in Wayne and several other locations across the country.
Officials say at least 80% of sponsored ad links for animal breeders are fake. Online scammers also tend to target people in their late teens or early 20s, they warn.
If you need to buy online and not directly, here are ways to avoid being taken:
- Don’t buy on impulse – check the vendor and the available dog nine ways on Sunday;
- Do not buy a Yorkie that is less than 10 weeks old; a reputable breeder would not sell one (they are too young to be sent);
- Although no breeder can guarantee the size of a puppy, renowned sellers talk about the estimated size and do not use words like “cup of tea” or “micro”;
- Request a positive form of identification of the creator with a photo that shows who this person is and the business he or she runs;
- Search online separately by breeder name, business name and phone number;
- Watch out for fake phone numbers (Google Voice allows those with any area code). Reputable creators answer their own phones;
- Pay close attention to Yelp! ripoff reviews and reports;
- Ask other people you know and trust to help you verify the breeder;
- Insist on coming face to face with the breeder and the puppy you are interested in or receive a photo of the breeder holding the puppy and a random item of your choice (seriously: it makes sense);
- It also costs to ask for photos of the puppy’s parents;
- Take time to get to know the creator: ask questions, talk. A reputable breeder wants to find a good home for his puppy, while a swindler is just trying to get his money as quickly as possible;
- Monitor the creator’s page on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to see if it is constantly being updated;
- Ask what vaccines the puppy received and at what age;
- Be sure to speak directly to the puppy’s veterinarian. Ask about general health, but also possible genetic problems (REMEMBER: a veterinarian should check any dog boarding a plane) and how the veterinarian feels about the breeder;
- In addition, make sure you have all the guarantees, contracts and papers written in the purchase agreement, including what resources you have if you acquire a puppy with an undisclosed pre-existing condition or genetic problems.
Remember that it is a fraud if the seller promises to deliver in less than 24 hours. It takes much longer for a check-up and flight arrangements.
And be sure to close the contact immediately if the seller requests payment via Western Union or money order. These are all scams – and none of that money is recoverable. Use PayPal or a credit card.
If you’ve made it this far: The first thing you should do after receipt is to take your Yorkie to the vet – as in: immediately – especially if you already have a dog.
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