Fake Puppy & Pet Seller Scams via PayPal
Scammers list non-existent puppies or pets online, collect PayPal payments, and then demand additional payments for fake shipping, insurance, or vet fees before vanishing.
Part of: Fake Puppy and Pet Seller Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake puppy scams exploit the emotional appeal of pet ownership to collect payments for animals that do not exist or will never be shipped. PayPal is commonly used in these scams because victims believe its buyer-protection policy will cover them — but fraudsters engineer the transaction to avoid chargebacks.
After an initial purchase payment via PayPal, buyers are subjected to a chain of escalating demands: shipping crates, vaccination certificates, temperature-controlled transport insurance, and customs fees. Each payment is positioned as a prerequisite to receiving the pet.
How this scam works on PayPal
A polished listing appears on a classified ads site or social media, featuring professional-looking photos of puppies at below-market prices. The seller's backstory — often a family going through a difficult situation — is designed to create sympathy. When the buyer pays via PayPal Friends and Family (bypassing buyer protection) or Goods and Services, the seller produces a series of pretextual demands for additional fees.
Photos are stolen from legitimate breeders' websites or social media accounts. Reverse image searching will reveal this, but buyers emotionally invested in the pet often skip this check.
Some scammers send a fake 'shipping confirmation' with a tracking number that leads to a spoofed courier website, demanding a 'delivery insurance' payment before the final leg of the journey.
Common red flags
- Seller insists on PayPal Friends and Family to avoid 'fees,' which removes all buyer protection
- Price is significantly below what reputable breeders charge for the breed
- Seller is unable or unwilling to video-call with the animal in real time
- Follow-up fees for crates, insurance, or customs materialise after initial payment
- Photos appear on multiple listings or are found on a legitimate breeder's site via reverse image search
- Seller's location keeps changing or is vague
- Communication is only by text — no phone calls or video accepted
How to protect yourself
- Always pay with PayPal Goods and Services — never Friends and Family for a purchase from a stranger
- Conduct a reverse image search on all pet photos before paying
- Insist on a live video call showing the specific animal in its current environment before any payment
- Visit the breeder in person if at all possible, or use a local rescue organisation
- Research the breed's typical price range — anything dramatically cheaper should prompt caution
- Refuse all requests for additional payments after the original purchase price is agreed
How to report it
- Open a dispute through PayPal's resolution centre immediately if you paid and did not receive the pet
- Report the listing to the classified ads or social media platform where it appeared
- File a report with your national consumer protection agency and cybercrime authority
Frequently asked questions
Will PayPal refund me if I paid Friends and Family for a fake puppy?
PayPal Friends and Family payments are not covered by buyer protection because they are designated as personal transfers, not purchases. You will need to file a dispute as unauthorised if you did not intend a gift, but recovery is not guaranteed. Always use Goods and Services for any purchase.