Victoria Police has sounded the alarm over a growing scam throughout the state where unsuspecting victims are being tricked out of thousands of dollars from fake puppy advertisements.
Detectives are investigating hundreds of reports of puppy scams in which Victorians are deceived by false advertisements on websites and online marketplaces.
Victims are generally asked to make cash deposits into a bank account for a puppy, which includes costs for interstate transport, insurance and registration fees.
They are also often asked for more money after the initial payment, with a variety of excuses offered such as different crates or equipment being required.
Communication usually stops once payment has been made, with the victims not receiving their puppy. Losses between $700 and $10,000 have been reported.
A Deer Park man was charged earlier in the year over alleged puppy scams, but reports of scams have continued since then.
The most prevalent dog breeds being falsely advertised are cavoodles, french bulldogs, mini teacup puppies, golden retrievers, corgies and dachshunds.
Some of the unsuspecting victims include a mother who lost more than $10,000 after she thought she was buying two french bulldogs for herself and her daughter.
They believed the seller was credible and transferred funds for the puppies, but the seller then stopped all contact with them.
A man also believed he was buying a…
