Photo courtesy WWCS
The person placing the ads, when contacted, claims to be a missionary serving with AIM, and he asks the interested party to split the costs for shipping the puppies to America. Unfortunately, this is a scam.
According to
AIM's Web site, the fraudulent ads generally appear as follows:
"TEACUP YORKIE PUPPY FOR ADOPTION. I want to give my lovely baby out to someone
that is God-fearing & will take good care of her. If you are interested,
please contact me via e-mail: davidpeter_4190@hotmail.com."
The puppy scam is not new, according to Canada's Phonebusters. Authorities who have been dealing with the con say the stories are the same, although details differ slightly.
In one version, the dog owner is said to reside in Africa. Sometimes he says he is an American, serving in the Peace Corps. Other times, he claims to be serving with a mission gorup. Either way, he promises to send the dog once the victim sends $200 to pay for shipping.
Usually there is another request for more money, explaining there were some complications clearing customs. If the victim pays the second fee, the scammer usually disappears.
Pray that the hoax does not damage the integrity of the mission team. Pray also that the con artist would be caught.
