An internet scam offering free dogs has come to light, the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) said on Thursday.
The NSPCA said one recent scam offered free puppies and included photographs of the animals.
”When carefully viewed, these images have clearly been downloaded from another website,” the NSCPA said.
The website claimed that a puppy would be sent to the adopter’s address. All communications were conducted by email. Once a prospective adopter had expressed interest, they would then receive an email saying the puppy had been detained at customs, which necessitated a payment.
”People who have paid over money then find the offer of a free puppy moves from website to website. It is a scam attracting bargain hunters who feel they are quite literally getting something for nothing and then find, if they are sufficiently gullible, they have been taken for a ride.
The NSPCA said adopting an animal was a lifelong commitment.
”Do not be taken in by photographs of pretty puppies or the fact that they are being offered free of charge,” it said.
”If these advertisements do not start to ring warning bells, the NSPCA does not know how else to warn the public. The easy, effective and responsible way to end all this is for websites to stop trading in live animals.” – Sapa