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Puppy scam: that online puppy probably doesn't exist

Editorially reviewed · Last updated September 8, 2026

Yes — this is a scam. Repeated urgent crate or insurance fees from an unverified seller or shipper are a puppy-scam pattern. Stop and verify before paying more.

Exhibit · Email

Bella's flight today — crate fee required before boarding
S
Silver Creek Frenchies
adoptions@silvercreek-frenchies-pups[.]com
9:21 AM
Great news — Bella is checked in and ready to fly to you this afternoon! Your $650 payment is received. The airline now requires a climate-controlled travel crate for French Bulldogs: a $980 fee, fully refundable on delivery. Please pay by Zelle within 2 hours so Bella doesn't miss her flight: skyway-pet-transport[.]com/crate/BE7741
Pay refundable crate fee
Illustrative email · not an original screenshot

Other versions you might get: A purebred at a few hundred dollars when the breed sells for thousands; a “breeder” who only communicates by email or text; a fake pet-transport company emailing that your puppy is stuck at the airport and needs food, water, or “pet insurance” fees; or the same scam with kittens, exotic birds, or reptiles. The ladder of fees is the constant — each payment buys you a new emergency.

What to do right now

  1. Stop paying. Whatever the story — crate, insurance, airport food — the next fee is not the last one, and paying it won't produce a puppy. BBB's study found the demands continue as long as the victim keeps sending money.
  2. Verify the seller and animal. Search photos and listing text, independently check registrations, and arrange an in-person visit where possible. A video call can help but can be manipulated and is not proof by itself.
  3. Try to claw back what you sent. Call your bank or the payment app immediately; for a wire, call MoneyGram (1‑800‑666‑3947) or Western Union (1‑800‑325‑6000); for gift cards, call the issuer and say the card was used in a scam.
  4. Report it. File at reportfraud.ftc.gov — and if a real breeder's name or kennel was impersonated, let them know so they can warn others.
  5. Next time, buy where you can look. Meet the breeder, the puppy, and ideally the mother in person — or adopt from a local shelter or rescue, where the FTC notes animals of every breed and age are waiting.

Reduce the risk of another scam

Puppy scams find people at their most eager — BBB's study estimates a large share of sponsored pet ads in search results may be fraudulent, so even careful shoppers land on fakes. Slow the purchase down to the speed of a video call and the scam falls apart; then lock down the contact details your search exposed: how to protect yourself.

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Frequently asked

I paid for a puppy and now they want a crate or insurance fee before shipping. Is it a scam?
A ladder of urgent crate, insurance, or airport charges is a documented puppy-scam pattern. It does not establish the status of a particular animal. Contact the actual carrier and verify the seller independently before paying more, and report suspected fraud.
How do I know if an online puppy seller is real?
Meet the animal and seller in person where practical, check references and registrations independently, and search the photos and listing text. A live video can help but is not a guarantee. Confirm any transport company through contact details you find yourself.
The puppy is a purebred for $600 — is that too good to be true?
Almost certainly. The FTC's alert notes scam ads offer purebreds for a few hundred dollars when they often cost thousands — the discount is the hook, and the “savings” come back as shipping and crate fees for a dog that doesn't exist. Research the breed's real price range first, and treat a deep discount from a stranger as the warning, not the win.
Can I get my money back from a puppy scam?
Sometimes, if you move fast. Contact your bank or payment app immediately and ask them to reverse the transfer; for wires call MoneyGram or Western Union, and for gift cards call the issuer. Money sent by wire, gift card, or crypto works like cash, so recovery isn't guaranteed — which is why stopping the *next* fee matters most. Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov either way.
Where should I look for a puppy instead?
Consider a breeder, shelter, or rescue you can visit and verify independently. Ask for health records, terms, and relevant registration details. Availability, adoption fees, and payment methods vary; no route is automatically scam-proof.

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Sources

  1. 01Getting a pet? Avoid scams— Federal Trade Commission
  2. 02BBB Study: Puppy Scams— Better Business Bureau
  3. 03How to Spot a Puppy Scam Online— American Kennel Club
  4. 04Report fraud to the FTC— Federal Trade Commission
  5. 05Official security and fraud guidance— akc.org

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Help protect someone else

If this could have fooled you, it can fool someone you know — a parent, a friend, the family group chat. It's safe to forward, and stands on its own as a record for a bank or the police.