<font color="#000088">I was trying really hard to find a good, loving home for my little Nico. He's the cutest little dog you could imagine. He's really a good boy! He's just not getting enough attention from me right now, because I'm just too sick and only getting sicker. So he's feeling a bit restless, and that's understandable! So I put an add on petfinder.com in order to put him up for adoption, with a fair adoption fee! Now I got a response from this lady, claiming that she lived in Hartford, CT! She seemed a bit off, so I turned her down. Then I got another offer from a man, claiming to reside in Texas. He seemed to be a really nice man, said he had a couple kids, and it basically sounded like a good situation for my little Nico! So I agreed to let him adopt him. He said he would send my adoption fee immediately, and then arrange for the pick up of the pet!

So far,sounded good! Then I get another e-mail from him saying that the payment had been sent, and that it included the shipping fee, and that once I cashed it, to contact his shipping company to arrange solid pick-up of the pet! He left an E-mail address for a shipping service. Then first thing Wednesday morning,I get a check delivered by UPS to my door! And when I opened it, it was for $2,500.00! Now, that seemed like a lot of extra for shipping, after my adoption fee being taken out!
So I took the check to my bank, and had them take a good look at it, and make sure there was nothing fishy about that check! Well, they determined that it was indeed a fraudulent check, but that it would still cash. But then later, the bank would cancel it, and come after me for the entire $2,500.00, after the shipping people got off with most of the money. It was a scam!
So these people were not at all interested in my little Nico, they just wanted the money! Could you imagine what they would have done with my dog once they took him, and the money! They would have had to have taken him, in order to make it look like they were really adopting him!

So I did not cash the check, and instead, I let the bank keep the check for training purposes! Not 30 minutes after I walked in the door from getting home from the bank, I get a phone call from the Lady that I had turned down from Hartford,CT! She said that she sent the check for her pet! Then started going on and on about how I stole her money, and that I didn't contact her as soon as I recieved the check! Now I didn't even know it came from her, because I clearly turned her down. I thought it came from the family in Texas! I didn't even think to look at the address on the outside of the envelope from the UPS guy, I just opened it!
So, anyway, this lady just kept yelling at me over the phone, and I told her that I did not cash her check, and that the bank told me that it was indeed a fraudulent check! She got even more mad, and called me a liar,saying that I did cash it, and that I had her money. Then she said something really stupid, she said that her bank assured her that it was a real check!lol..Banks don't issue bad checks,so why would they assure somebody that their check is real? That really tipped me off that she knew it wasn't a legit check!

Then she made the biggest mistake, she threatened me, and said that if I don't send her $2,000.00 by friday (Sept.7th)that my life would be in serious danger, and that I had no idea who I was messing with!
Well, I responded by saying I think I do know,"A scam artist, that didn't get her way"! And I told her that I was not afraid of her, and that if she really thought that I stole her money, than to go right ahead and call the police! She got more mad and left an Oregon phone number, and just said goodbye, and hung up!

Now, because of the threat that was made over it! All the evidence, the envelope from the UPS truck, the check from the bank, and the Oregon phone number and everything has been turned over to the police to investigate, for a fraud investigation. And for the threat agains't my life!

All because I wanted to find a safe home for my pet! Why in the hell did this have to happen? Do people thing that I'm stupid enough to fall for that kind of %#@&#!?
What is this world coming to? </font>

[seeker1950]

Justice...I'm so sorry you've encountered this in trying to find a loving home for you doggie. Did you place this ad for your pet on Petfinder.com?
It's scary.
I was reluctant to place such an ad myself for my Golden Retriever, "Henry," since I didn't want her to end up in an unfit home or tied to a chain, or abused, and that is why I contacted Golden Retriever rescue. I lacked the skill, time, knowledge and patience to train her properly and she was bored with my absence at work. The resouce I contacted does home visits and screenings before placing the dog, as well as Henry going to the prison for training with an inmate.
I see lots of ads of "free to a good home," but who knows how the pet will end up in such a situation.
What kind of dog do you have?
Love
Patty

[SeptemberMorn]

Justice, I don't know what to say!! This world is getting scarier and scarier by the day! Good thing most thieves are stupid! No doubt these people will get caught. It does insult your intelligence when someone tries to pull something like that, doesn't it? It could be that because they are so stupid, that they think everybody is!

Sound like you have things under control, though. Seeker will probably lead you in the right direction in how to place your Nico in a safe home.

Boy! Stuff like that makes me so mad!!

[frogysgirl]

You sound like a very caring person, the type %%^&#@^% prey on. All I can do is offer support and let you know there are a few good people in the world - hard as it is to believe right now. Good luck and please keep us informed.

<font color="#000088">Yes, it was petfinder.com! Because of what happened, I deleted the add! He is a purebred Shih Tzu. So I got some advice on posting him on Craigslist.com, to where he would only be posted within a 50 mile zone of where I live. So if someone was interested in adoption, they would be close enough to come and meet me, and him personally so I can screen them better. In order to find a better home, that is safer, and a loving home for him. Where there would be no need for shipping companies, or shipping fee's. And I made it perfectly clear that I would not accept checks,or money orders! So it would keep away scam artists!
But that really shook me up! I'll never trust petfinder.com again! I don't think anyone should! Honestly, I think that lady was pretending to be the man from Texas, and just using a different e-mail address and name! Because when I e-mailed back the man from Texas about it, he said he didn't know what I was talking about, and that he didn't send that check! </font>

[seeker1950]

Justice...since it sounds like you have a purebred Shitzu...perhaps you should also do a search in your area for rescue groups of this breed, like I did with the Golden.
patty

[Raynaadi]

((((((((((( Justice )))))))))))

I wish I had my webcam on my face as I read your post. I was just absolutely SHOCKED. Then I was sayin "you go girl" because your smarts and good judgement kicked in, and because you felt weary and trusted that feeling, you took the steps to not get in trouble.

I cannot believe someone would do such a thing!!!! And on a website that everyone has heard of!!!! You should call Dateline NBC and go national with this. Or 20/20. Or Oprah. I'm just floored that there are people our there that do this kind of thing.....its just turning into such a scary scary place.

Maybe someone on PC would want to adopt him?

Anyway, GOOD for you for calling the police and turning all this over to them. So many people get fooled by scams and don't realize it until its too late. They picked the wrong girl to mess with!!!!!

Please keep us updated...I do hope you find a good home for the little guy. My aunt had a shizu when I was growing up. He was such a cute little guy. If I had the energy for a doggie, I'd offer to adopt him.

Keep honing in on those instincts girl, sometimes thats all we've got. I'm so sorry this has happened to you, but very proud of you too!!!!!!!


~Rayna

[wickedwings]

(((((justice))))) i commend you for your diligence in making sure that nico is well-placed. 14 years ago, i had to search for a home for a dog that i had once, since i became so sick. i didn't trust anyone, so i search within my circle for anyone that i could trust giving my dog to. it worked out, since my mom helped me with that. but, it sure is amazing to read about the people trying to scam you when they pretended to care about nico and all that. i'm proud of you for seeing through all that. rescue organizations seem to be a good way to go if the craiglist.com doesn't work out. rescue organizations are pretty good at placing dogs. i wish you the best. i know what it's like, though.

[bebop]

I don't think it has so much to do with petfinder as the scammers. it has been well known for people to go there and on ebay to scam people. I am sorry you went thru this and I hope they catch the person doing it.

[DocClyde]

Be careful Justice! and I am very glad you are all right!

[Rapunzel]

I have had something similar happen in the past. I had a border collie that needed a home, and went though a rescue organization, and email lists where I felt like I knew people. Someone turned up a couple in Florida who wanted my dog, and wanted me to ship him, and promised to pay me more than just the shipping fee. Their check bounced (but I hadn't shipped the dog yet), and they apologized, and asked for my bank routing number to send me the money. I couldn't think of why they would need my bank routing number, and said they could wire money to me through any of the standard services, and I would pick it up. Of course they never did. There are so many ways people can and will try to scam you. If something doesn't sound right, it probably isn't.

[January]

I'm so sorry this happened. What horrible people! I'm so glad you are smart and capable of spotting these things.

Hugs,

Jan

[RebbieDoll]

oh my god!!! that's ridiculous! im glad the police are looking into it, that's so wrong. it's good you listened to your instincts on this, wow. god, people will do anything to get money

[nothemama8]

Justice if we had the money and transportation, we would be thrilled to adopted her, we are looking for a sweet little service dog like her
Angie

<font color="#000088">Yeah, that whole thing was crazy! But I did look into Rescue Groups for Small Breed dogs in my area, just in case. I found one right in my home town, and they do adoption days at the PetSmart in our area, where people go and see the animals they have available. They have to fill out an application, pay an application fee, plus they are screened very well before being chosen to be able to adopt the animal they have chosen to adopt. Also they end up with the adoption fee to the rescue group. But the rescue group takes very good care of the pet, until it gets adopted, all medical care is provided, and everything! But I have recieved one responce from the add on craigslist.com , they just wanted more info about the pet, and asked for some photo's of him. So I gave them the info they asked for about him, and then sent them the photo's. So I'm just waiting to hear back from them. But it say's right on the add,CASH ONLY! So they already know that, and that they would need to pick up the pet in person! They're from my area anyway, maybe a 15 minute drive away! So, we'll see if they want him or not! I hope it works out for my dogs sake mostly. He needs a good loving home, where he can run and play, and have fun. Not just lay around watching me be sick all the time. Even though I still give him love, and play with him as much as I can. He deserves more! He's a good boy, and I love him too much to see him miss out on the fun he should be having!
True, there are some people out there that will do the lowest things for money! They don't care who they are hurting!
I swear those people are nuts! </font>

[eskielover]

You did a good job with that scam......I find it amazing how many scams are going on in this world......anywhere there is a business, there is a scam of some kind....everyone trying to get a quick buck from an unsuspecting person. If they do even a couple & get away with it, they are that much richer (in their eyes).

I hope the police can actually gather up enough evidence against her. I know the scam, ID theft & horrible experience that I went through with my Mother when she was dying.....I had so much evidence, but in the long run, there wasn't enough for the DA to prosecute & APS just dropped everything (I guess because my Mother couldn't say that anything was wrong because she was dying & so out of it, she didn't even know what I was telling her was happening). She ended up getting away with 15,000 in jewelry & also $400 in a credit card use. I stopped her from getting the money from the checks she wrote & I think she was after the house......who actually does know with these people....they try to get away with everything that they can.

I am glad you were wise enough to stop this before it got anywhere....the sad thing is that sometimes they can't prosecute unless something actually happens.....how crazy can the justice system be?

Debbie

[recluse1]

(((((((justice))))))) sorry this happened to you. but am glad you have found another way to ensure the safety of your beloved pet. i wish you all the best in finding the right home for the wee-one.

recluse1

<font color="#000088">I sure am trying. I feel so bad for him, because he just sits around the house looking sad, because I'm too sick now to take him out for his walks and to play outside. I still try really hard to play with him as much as I can inside the house, with his ball, play fetch with him! He really likes that! But it just isn't enough for him, he needs more, and deserves much more! I just feel so bad that I can no longer give it to him, like I used to be able to before I was diagnosed with the terminal illness almost a year ago, that is really slowing me down!
The person that responded to the add, turned me down, because my little guy is not fixed, and I can't afford to get him fixed either! He said that he already had 1 male dog that was fixed, and he couldn't mix him with another that wasn't fixed! So that offer fell through, and so far I haven't recieved anymore yet!

I don't get it, he's such a coveted breed, you'ld think more people would respond! Plus he's just so cute, and there's even a photo of him with the add! I might have to turn him over to the rescue group if no responses have panned out by the end of the month! Then they'll get paid the big bucks for him on the adoption day! I won't get anything, but the knowledge that he'll have a safe home. The knowledge is great, but I really need the adoption fee for bills!
But having that knowledge is much better than nothing at all! Atleast I'll know he's safe,that is #1 priority!</font>

[seeker1950]

HI, Justice...
I know you're struggling with this, but I have some insight into adoptions done independently. If you dog is purebred and not neutered, it is highly possible some unscrupulous person would take him just for breeding purposes. I've seen some horrific situations with dog breeders who just use the animals for reproduction. Please keep this in mind when screening potential adoptions.
The rescue groups, at least the one I released Henry (Golden pup) to, require that the dog is spayed or neutered before being placed. Though I could ill afford it, I gave the lady who took Henry $100 toward his training , spaying and care till he is placed with a loving family. They do home visits and background checks on the potential owners.
Love
Patty

<font color="#000088">I'll watch for that, thanks for the warning! I hope the rescue group doesn't ask me for money to take him. Because I just don't have it, or I'd be able to afford to get him fixed, it's only $70.00 to get him fixed, and I can't even afford that. So you can see how tight my budget is! If I can't even afford that small price to get him fixed! Plus, most breeders would want papers on him, which I do not have! When I adopted him, he didn't come with papers. Only 1 of his parents was registered with the AKC, the other was not for some reason. The owner just said she just didn't get around to it, because she was no longer going to be breeding anymore, and she sold both parents, right after selling the puppies! Which my little guy is one of those puppies! So he's not registered with the AKC, most breeders would require that anyway!
But I'll definately watch out for it still, just incase! Thanks again! </font>

[seeker1950]

Justice,
The rescue group didn't ask me to donate, though they said if I wanted to, it would help.
Love
Patty

<font color="#000088">Well it's all worked out now! I'm so happy for my little guy!
He just got adopted today to a loving family here in Utah that has 2 kids, and another small dog, so he has a brother now to play with! I met his new Mom, and she was so sweet with him, and just adored him, and he had fun playing with the other little doggy he's now living with. He did have a hard time saying goodbye to me, but I knew he would. And it was hard to say goodbye to him, but it was for the best for him! Now he's in a safe place and he's going to adjust just fine, and be so happy, and get all the love and attention he needs and deserves! I'm so happy for him!
Thanks for all your support, and input, and all the suggestions you've all helped me with! I appreciate you all very much for all your help in this situation!
I did recieve another Cashiers Check yesterday, that was fraudulent from the guy claiming to live in Texas! It was actually mailed from West Africa, and the Check was drawn from a Bank in Kentucky! I swear I have absolutely no pity on these scam artists, when they do eventually get caught!
I called the officer that I gave the other check to and told him I had another one for him, to come pick up! I hope they catch these guys! Their ridiculous!
But for me it's over, my doggy has a new home now,I'm really happy about that, he's finally safe and in a good home!

PC---></font>

[wickedwings]

(((((justice)))))) i'm so glad that you found nico a good home. i'm proud of you for your diligence.

<font color="#000088">Thanks! I'm just so glad he is in a safe place now, and a loving home that can give him more than I could. He deserved all that. I just wanted him to have all that, and he really needed it to. I've just been way to sick to get him out for his walks or playing with the other dogs outside. It just wasn't fair for him to have to go without all that. Now he's got all that, and even more, kids to, that he can play with also! I'm so happy for him. I do miss him, but I know he's safe and that makes it much easier for me!
Just knowing he's in a safe and happy place! Thanks again! </font>

[seeker1950]

This is good news, Justice! So happy for you and the little doggie!
Love
Patty