Fake Pet Breeder Scams on Instagram
Instagram accounts impersonating legitimate breeders collect purchase payments and deposits using stolen photos, fabricated litter announcements, and follow-up fee escalation tactics.
Part of: Fake Pet Breeder Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Instagram's pet community is enormous, and legitimate breeders genuinely do use the platform to showcase their dogs and cats. Scammers exploit the visual trust that well-maintained pet accounts generate, replicating the content style of real breeders with stolen imagery and compelling narratives.
Buyers searching for a specific breed on Instagram may encounter a fraudulent account before finding the real breeder whose photos are being stolen. The scammer benefits from the original breeder's reputation without the buyer ever knowing the connection.
How this scam works on Instagram
A scammer creates an Instagram account with a name suggesting a licensed breeding operation and populates it with stolen photos of the target breed. When a buyer makes contact about a puppy, they are quoted a market-appropriate price, sent further stolen photos showing 'the available litter', and asked to pay a deposit to reserve their puppy.
After payment, the scammer may send more stolen puppy photos for several weeks before the exchange falls apart — either through escalating fee demands or simply through the scammer going silent.
Common red flags
- Instagram breeder account with a very recent creation date despite showing months of post history
- Profile photos and puppy images that return multiple matches in a reverse image search
- No video posts or Stories showing the breeder's home environment
- Communication moves to WhatsApp or email quickly — scammer wants to move off Instagram
- Puppy is described as available for immediate distant delivery despite being shown as a newborn
- Price is significantly below comparable registered breeders
How to protect yourself
- Request a live video call showing the puppy and the breeder's home before any payment
- Reverse image search every photo in the account including the earliest posts
- Find the original breeder whose photos may have been stolen and alert them
- Verify the breeder's registration with the relevant national breed authority
- Never complete a remote transaction for a live animal without in-person or fully verified live video confirmation
How to report it
- Report the Instagram account using the three-dot menu — choose 'Report' and select 'It's a scam'
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov or Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
- Report to Instagram's copyright reporting tool if they are using a real breeder's photos without permission
Frequently asked questions
What does a legitimate Instagram breeder account look like?
Legitimate breeders typically have consistent engagement over years, verifiable club memberships in their bio, and are willing to arrange in-person visits and live video calls. Their accounts will also appear in searches by breed clubs or registries.