Puppy Deposit Scams via MoneyGram
How fraudsters posing as breeders or shippers collect puppy deposits via MoneyGram for animals that never arrive.
Part of: Puppy Deposit Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Some puppy deposit scams, especially those claiming the puppy is in another city or country, request deposits and 'shipping' payments via MoneyGram. The cash-transfer method is framed as the way to pay a breeder or pet courier quickly.
MoneyGram transfers can be collected at agent locations and are hard to recover, which is why scammers use them. A breeder or shipper requesting MoneyGram for a puppy you have not verified is a major warning sign.
How this scam works on MoneyGram
After the buyer commits to a puppy, the 'breeder' or a supposed pet-shipping company requests a deposit by MoneyGram to a named recipient, then additional payments for a 'climate crate,' insurance, or customs.
The buyer sends the transfer and shares the reference number, which the scammer uses to collect the cash. A fake shipping company may send tracking emails and demand escalating fees to 'release' the stranded puppy.
The puppy never arrives. Each MoneyGram payment is collected before the buyer can intervene, and the breeder and shipper were both fictional.
Common red flags
- A breeder or shipper requests a MoneyGram deposit for a puppy
- The puppy is said to be in another city or country
- Escalating fees for crates, insurance, or customs via more transfers
- A 'shipping company' demands fees to release a stranded puppy
- You are asked to share the MoneyGram reference number
- No live video of the specific puppy is offered
How to protect yourself
- Never send MoneyGram deposits for a puppy you have not verified in person or by live video
- Be skeptical of breeders and shippers in distant locations
- Treat 'stranded puppy' fee demands as a scam
- Use buyer-protected payment methods and verifiable local sellers
- If you sent funds, contact MoneyGram immediately to attempt to stop the pickup
- Reverse-image-search photos and verify any shipping company independently
How to report it
- Report to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or your local equivalent
- Call MoneyGram customer care to report fraud and attempt to halt the transfer
- Report the listing and any fake shipping site to the relevant platform
Frequently asked questions
Can I verify a pet shipping company before paying its fees?
Search for the company's name along with the word 'scam' or 'review,' check whether it has a real business registration and verifiable contact details, and be suspicious of any shipper that only accepts MoneyGram or similar cash transfers. Legitimate pet couriers are usually bookable and payable through documented, traceable channels.
What should I do if I already sent a MoneyGram for a stranded puppy fee?
Call MoneyGram's fraud line immediately in case the transfer hasn't yet been collected, and file a report with the FTC and the platform where you found the listing. Recovery becomes unlikely once the money is picked up, so acting within minutes to hours gives you the best chance.
Is the 'pet shipping company' demanding fees real?
In these scams, no. Fraudsters invent a shipping company that emails fake tracking and demands escalating fees to 'release' a puppy that does not exist. Legitimate shippers do not collect surprise fees by MoneyGram. Stop paying and report it.