Fake Pet Breeder Scams on Facebook
Fake pet breeder accounts on Facebook Marketplace and Groups collect payments for non-existent animals using stolen photos, false breeding credentials, and emotionally compelling backstories.
Part of: Fake Pet Breeder Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Facebook Marketplace and breed-specific Facebook Groups are primary hunting grounds for fake pet breeder scammers. The combination of group membership as a trust signal, personal profile credibility, and high-quality stolen photos from real breeders makes fraudulent listings extremely convincing.
Breed-specific Facebook Groups have become particularly problematic — scammers join groups focused on specific breeds and post 'available puppy' listings that appear to come from community members rather than anonymous sellers.
How this scam works on Facebook
A Facebook Marketplace listing or Group post advertises puppies or kittens with detailed descriptions, claimed health checks, and vaccination records. The listing price may be market rate or slightly below. When interested buyers make contact, they are walked through a convincing process — health certificates, vet references, and transport arrangements — before paying via bank transfer.
After payment, the seller continues correspondence for a time before becoming unreachable. Some operations chain multiple buyers in parallel, collecting deposits from several people for the same non-existent animal.
Common red flags
- Marketplace listing with very professional photos and detailed, compelling backstory
- Seller profile has very limited mutual connections or was recently created
- Communication exclusively through Facebook Messenger — no video call with the animal offered
- Vet reference number or microchip certificate that cannot be verified through the issuing body
- Demand for payment via bank transfer rather than a protected payment method
- Reverse image search returns the same photos on multiple listings or breed forums
How to protect yourself
- Request a live video call showing the animal in the seller's home before any payment
- Verify the microchip number or vet registration independently before completing purchase
- Meet the seller and animal in person before paying if geographically feasible
- Reverse image search all photos in the listing
- Use a payment method with buyer protection rather than a direct bank transfer
How to report it
- Report the Facebook Marketplace listing or Group post using the 'Report' function
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
- Contact the breed club or Kennel Club registry if fraudulent credentials were presented
Frequently asked questions
Is it safe to buy a pet from a Facebook Group breeder?
Group membership does not verify a seller's legitimacy. Always insist on in-person or live video verification, check credentials independently, and use a payment method with buyer protection.