Puppy / Pet Deposit Scam Examples
A listing or message offers an appealing purebred puppy or kitten at a reasonable price, complete with photos and a friendly seller who asks for a deposit to hold the pet or cover shipping before you can see it in person. The animal, and often the seller, do not exist — the photos are typically reused across many fake listings. The emotional pull of an eager, needy animal encourages quick payment. The scammer's goal is the deposit and any follow-up fees for fake insurance or crates. Never pay for a pet you have not met or verified in person.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Hi! We have a beautiful [breed] puppy available. We are rehoming due to moving overseas. Asking only [amount] to cover shipping. Send a [amount] deposit via Zelle to hold [pet name].
Our [breed] litter is ready to go! Only [amount] each. We require a [amount] non-refundable deposit to reserve your puppy. Can send photos and vet records after payment.
I have a [breed] kitten looking for a loving home. Price is [amount] but I can do [amount] if you can cover transport. Venmo or Cash App preferred. Payment secures your spot.
These pups are AKC registered and vaccinated. Due to high demand we need a [amount] deposit today. Balance due on delivery. We accept Zelle, gift cards, or wire transfer.
What the scammer wants
To collect a deposit or full purchase price for a non-existent pet, and often to extract additional fees for fake 'shipping insurance' or 'kennel crates' before vanishing.
Red flags in the message
- Unusually low price for a supposedly pedigree or rare breed
- Seller is moving abroad or has a personal story to explain the low price
- Only accepts irreversible payment methods: Zelle, Venmo, wire, or gift cards
- Photos are stock images or stolen from legitimate breeders (reverse image search them)
- Additional fees requested after the deposit for transport, insurance, or crates
- Seller is reluctant to arrange a video call showing the live animal
A safe response
Never send a deposit before seeing the animal via live video call with the seller. Visit the animal in person, or use a verified breeder with transparent reviews and a traceable address.
What not to send
- Deposits via Zelle, Venmo, or gift cards
- Any follow-on 'shipping insurance' or 'crate' fees
- Bank account or card details
What to do if you already replied
- If payment was by bank transfer or Zelle, contact your bank immediately — recall may be possible
- Report the seller to the platform where the ad appeared and to the FTC
- Reverse-image search the pet photos to check if they were stolen
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot the full message or call details
- Note the sender number, email, or profile
- Save any links (without clicking) and payment details
- Record dates and times
Frequently asked questions
The seller sent extra photos and even a video when I asked — is that proof it's real?
Not reliably. Photos and short clips can be reused from other listings, stolen from real breeders, or generated, so they don't confirm the seller actually has the animal. Insist on a live video call where you ask them to perform an action in real time, and be wary of excuses to avoid one.
I already sent a deposit — can I get it back?
It depends on the payment method: a card payment may be disputable through your bank, while wire transfers, gift cards, or crypto are usually very hard to recover. Contact your bank or payment provider directly to explain the situation and ask about your options.
How can I check if a breeder or seller is legitimate?
Ask to visit in person or arrange a live video call showing the actual animal and surroundings, and search the seller's name, phone number, or photos online to see if they appear in other listings or scam reports. Legitimate breeders are usually willing to meet and answer detailed questions without pressuring quick payment.
They're now asking for extra money for shipping insurance — should I pay to protect my earlier deposit?
No, this is a common follow-up tactic once the first payment is made, and further fees will very likely keep appearing. Stop paying immediately and treat the initial deposit as likely lost rather than sending more money chasing it.