Puppy Scam - Lost $1500

Hey guys and gals,

So, long story short: I tried to buy a puppy online and was scammed out of $1500.

My bank (ING) just sent me a text yesterday to say that they were unsuccessful in trying to recall the money I bank transferred to the "breeders".

It turns out that this was a sophisticated scam where they had stolen the identity of a woman and made it seem like I was dealing with her.

I reported it to the local police (Victoria Police) which was a waste of time because they just said to report it to cyber.gov.au.

Cyber.gov.au sent me an email to say that NSW Police are investigating the matter.

Anyway, I want to know if any of you guys/gals have any ideas for how I can get my $1500 back?

Kind Regards,

jm03

Comments

  • +2

    Anyway, I want to know if any of you guys/gals have any ideas for how I can get my $1500 back?

    Not that I am aware of. Because

    a) not paid by credit card (so charge back)

    b) being a scam, no consumer law protection

    c) it is not a transfer mistake, so I don't think AFCA will act on

    Sorry to hear

    • +9

      Thanks, man…

      Yeah, I called Commbank, which is the bank used by the scammers and they said that they can't do anything for me because my bank account is not with them…

      Although I do have a Commbank credit card….

      My brother-in-law works for Commbank and he called the Commbank scam division and they said that they are already aware that this bank account was being used for scam purposes…

      My brother-in-law managed to get the bank account frozen…but that's about all the success we've had….

      • Although I do have a Commbank credit card….

        Nah I don't mean you owning a credit card, or with the same bank as the scammer. Credit card purchase has more protection than debit/cash eft (I don't know why!)

        While on paper you have freeze the scammers account, unfortunately that fund would have been eft out into different accounts already, and the scammers will just use a different account.

        It would have been a juicier read if the scammer was using Westpac

        • +5

          I really don't understand this. Presumably the bank has the scammers ID. How can the police do nothing about it? Or why don't banks just blacklist the scammers?

          • @belongsinforums: IDs are problably stolen and not theirs.

            • @Mistredo: how do banks allow people with stolen IDs to open accounts?

              • +2

                @belongsinforums: Well one would assum it's because they don't know they're stolen.

              • +4

                @belongsinforums:

                how do banks allow people with stolen IDs to open accounts?

                They probably ticked no in the box "Ïs this ID stolen?" when setting up the account

      • so they're already aware that the account is fraudulent but they haven't froze it before your brother told them to?

        what were they waiting for?

        • +1

          what were they waiting for?

          Just waiting until the fines for the bank exceeded the bank's profits from the scammer

  • +11

    About 5 years ago I transferred $500 to an interstate puppy seller on gumtree of all things for a golden retriever puppy as I could not find any local at all. Sent a further 2 x $500 deposits a month or so later then drove 4 hours to collect said puppy.

    Amazed myself that I wasn’t scammed as it had all the hallmarks of it. Emotions can cloud judgement at the best of times.

    • +3

      we bought a dog on Gumtree, but we paid in cash. why wouldn't you pay cash when you pick up the dog?

      • +5

        Presumably fear of missing out on the limited supply.

      • +6

        Yep same here, we drove 4 hours to view the pups first and leave a deposit (really we just wanted to verify it wasn't a scam), then returned a few weeks later when the pups were ready to leave their mum. At the time they were $1500 each, 6 years ago, it is shocking to see they sell for 4000+ now each, at that price we would go RSPCA.

      • +1

        interstate vs local
        and being a happy truthful person not yet suspicious of everyone

        • Sadly it is an important life lesson, Trust should be earnt not given. There will always be enough scumbags out there that unless you know the person you need to err on the side of caution.

    • +7

      In this case the customer willingly transferred the money. If the bank gave you your money back every time you got "scammed" then the banks would be inundated with people transferring money and then crying scam.

      In the case of a credit card, if the card is used fraudulently, then the customer has some recourse. In that case, it is the receiving merchant that accepts the risk, and considers the fraud as the cost of doing business. They weigh the chance of fraud versus the lost business by not accepting credit cards, and choose to accept that risk.

      In the case of bank transfers, the customer making the transfer accepts the risk. So the onus is on them to do their due diligence.

      • -6

        If legacy banks can't protect their users from scams then what good they?

        People may as well store their money in their wallets on their mobile devices.

        • +2

          Please give some ideas or examples on how the bank could realistically have protected OP from this, they don't have a crystal ball , OP made the transaction so no fraud security measures would pf flagged.

          • -2

            @Settero: Legacy banks can freeze funds while they investigate scams.

            The banks in this case chose to enable the scammer because they don't give a stuff about their users.

            • +3

              @rektrading: If you are talking about the npp platform mistaken payments guidelines , this would not be eligible, OP has paid the right person , it's in its simplest form , a dispute between OP and the seller.

              There's also no information on if the funds are still there, how long between payment made and report made.

              Can't freeze what's not there.

    • It's ridiculous…

      They said that the scammer would have to give their CONSENT for them to take the money back…

      What kind of loopey country is this?

      • -1

        Legacy banks can freeze funds while they investigate scams.

        The banks in this case chose to enable the scammer because they don't give a stuff about their users.

      • +11

        How could the bank be sure you are not the scammer

        • +8

          But they are so believable, on a pension, a member of ozbargain and other members there are saying they have been badly treated…. 🤦🏻

          They got scammed and its the banks fault. And the government lets bad guys out into the community…. it's all their fault.

      • +4

        What kind of loopey country is this?

        I would ask you, what kind of loopy country would allow banks to reach into other people's pocket and take their money just because you asked them to…

        The money has obviously cleared from your account, so the bank is no longer in control of it. $1.5k isn't much nowadays, I've had larger transfers clear on the same day even to a different bank.

        Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if the scammer is from overseas and the money is out of the country by now.

        Seriously, cut your losses and move on with it. Even if the police miraculously help you identify the scammer, they can't just take money out of their pocket and give it to you.

        I have seen people lose a lot more than 1.5k to scammers. You got off easily, so consider it a hard lesson learnt

      • bank transfers are as good as cash…
        if u did the transaction in cash and wanted a refund you would need the receipiant to give you the cash back.
        bank legally cannot dictate who gets cash back etc…
        would need police/court order to do so?

    • Sounds like someone's been butthurt from a bank transfer scam before

  • +1

    OP, if you want tips on getting the money back, the long story may be helpful. IE called you from a landline can point to a location.

    • +2

      Once the money is theirs, there is no restriction on what they can spend it on. Welfare, specifically pensions, have gone up quite a bit because of the way they're tied to average male full time earnings. Unemployment benefits have not seen such increases.

      • +11

        Living on the pension is tough…

        Do you know how many years it took me to save up and the sacrifices I've made?

        • +7

          Also no need to beat yourself up anymore. We don't know your circumstances and the fur baby companionship would probably improve your quality of life , so your decision to purchase shouldn't be criticised further.

          But apart from reporting to police/cybercrime, and until the scammer is caught, you are unable to recover your money through say the claim court system.

        • All the more reason to take even the most basic of precautions. Obviously that doesn't help you this time, but you and potentially anyone else reading this, will know better in future.

          • +1

            @[Deactivated]: Yes, I did do some basic checks…

            I asked for their ABN number and ran a check on it…

            I noticed that their bank account had the same name as the name on the ABN number…

            So, I thought it was legitimate…

            But, I didn't even think that this could be a stolen identity…

            I thought that the banks would have more stringent checks in place, especially if the name on the bank transfer does not match the name on the account…but they don't check it…they are very slack…

            • +9

              @jm03: When you transfer money, all that matters is BSB and account number. You can use any name you like, or none at all, and the transfer will still go through.

              Once money is transferred to an account, and cleared, then the money is theirs. That is how people selling can send items safe in the knowledge that the money can not be taken back by someone claiming to have been scammed.

              The problem you had this time stems from the fact you didn't know how the banking system works, and that you were conned into trusting the person you sent the money to, wrongfully believing the bank would protect you if you were scammed.

              Puppies are currently on the scambait list. Increased demand. Limited supply. Emotional investment. You need to be doubly cautious.

              • @[Deactivated]:

                When you transfer money, all that matters is BSB and account number.

                In the case of PayID, the recipient name is shown to the payer before transfer takes place.

                But correct with BSB transfer, payee name don't matter!

              • @[Deactivated]: I had this debate when investigating selling stuff online. I used to do bank deposits too but I thought there is a way once funds are direct deposited and cleared in the bank account that they can fake or claim their account was hacked and used to pay yours hence their bank could reclaim the deposited cash? Hence I got scared and just took cash on hand for gumtree sales.

                PayPal also seemed possible to claim back although I'm not sure as some say now if your a seller you can Use family and friends so they can't retract the PayPal amounts transferred to you??

                • @SaberX: My online banking shows two amounts, balance and available. As soon as a deposit is recognized, it is shown in the balance, but it is not cleared until it shows as available and can be transferred to other accounts.

                  You can't create a PayPal dispute for family and friends, but you can still do a chargeback through your credit card.

                  Cash is definitely safer from a scam point of view, but people have been given counterfeit money, robbed, and even killed. It is rare of course, but it does happen, even when meeting in public, even in Australia.

        • Try getting a puppy from the local RSPCA, you'll do much more good than window shopping

        • I think it really sucks you got scammed. No offense intended, but if you saved up for years to pay for it then you will almost certainly be unable to afford the running costs of a dog, vet, vaccines etc will bankrupt you, the initial cost is generally the cheap part.

      • +6

        While I agree the unemployment benefits are horrible the disability pension is still below the poverty line as well (just not as insanely as unemployment is) and it no where near full time earnings wage.

        After paying all my meds/hospital trips etc it would take me years to save up $1500 (hell I'm saving $600 for a new fancy washing machine, I know is cheaper possible but I want something good).

        It's a lesson learnt the hard way for the OP, but just saying tsunamisurfer is very wrong saying social welfare is excessive, anyone living on a pension or even worse unemployment it would take a longass time to save this much (unless they are getting free accommodation or rorting the system in some way).

        That being said OP, please make sure you have your budget set out well, generally if it's hard to save for a pet the cost of owning a pet is ongoing and very high too, vet bills, food, etc all add up quick. Please don't put yourself in the position of having to give up a pet because it will cost too much and yeah as I said it sucks but there is no getting the money back, it's a harsh lesson learnt the hard way sadly.

        • +7

          Agreed - vet bills, especially, can add up so quickly. Depending on the ailment it can cost thousands of dollars, sometimes much more. Just like people, pets can get sick or injured very unexpectedly - even one trip to the vet or emergency centre can set you back more than what you paid for the puppy. Saving up for the purchase price is only the beginning and I wish more people thought of that.

      • In 5 years I have been on a pension it has gone up $15 a fortnight, I wouldn't call that quite a bit at all.

        • +4

          Basic rate Jan 2017: $797.90
          Basic rate Jan 2022: $882.20

          Source: A Guide to Australian Government Payments

        • +1

          Assuming what you're saying is true, then you must be on a part pension due to income or assets. It's gone up quite a bit compared to unemployment, which is calculated by a different metric.

          • +2

            @[Deactivated]: No idea why there isn't just a standard payment rate for everyone unemployed, not like it costs jobseekers any less to be alive than a pensioner

            • @Jolakot: It was originally only a small difference, enough to cover the increased medical costs of the disabled and elderly. The current pension rate is $967.50, and unemployment is $629.50. That's for single adults, no kids, and does not include rent assistance or remote living allowance.

              The reason the difference has become so pronounced is the difference in how they're calculated to keep up with inflation. The government don't want to upset the gray vote, so they're unlikely to change any time soon. They certainly won't lower the rate, but they might change how the increase is calculated in future.

              Social security and health care make up the majority of government expenditure. That is only set to increase as our population ages.

    • Dog = Food.

      But yes. They can do whatever they want with it.

    • +7

      How dare someone on Disability payments make decisions about how they spend money! Our taxes, our choice! We better not find out they’re buying any of that fancy non-home-brand food either. This is money that could be much better spent on my third investment property!

      /s, in case it wasn’t clear. Shameful post.

      • -2

        People make those types of comments probably abuse their domestic partners by monitoring every cent they spend and question their choices..

    • +1

      Wait until you see how much we pay on corporate welfare.

  • Next time pay with CC (but I wouldn't)

    Don't be so desperate to buy something

    In person and in cash $

    • +1

      Next time pay in person when you see what your buying

      • +2

        Absolutely.

    • +1

      In person and in cash $

      Gumtree's mantra. Works 100% every. single. time.

      • -1

        I took a PayPal payment once and the fees for doing it safely are pretty huge, would recommend cash for sure.

      • -1

        Even in person and in cash, people will still post threads that says Scam.

        "Received puppy in person but has terminal illness and will die in 1 week. SCAM !!!".

        Best advice is to adopt from a reputable organisation or purchase from a reputable seller.

  • +1

    tried to buy a puppy online

    Share the details in case any other pensioners are puppy shopping online…

  • +12

    ‘’ Anyway, I want to know if any of you guys/gals have any ideas for how I can get my $1500 back?’’

    Clearly No one here has any suggestions or solutions to your original enquiry.. me neither.
    Just a load of Hindsight Harry’s looking to brandish inane advises to feel good about their supposed intellectual superiority.

    Anyways, sorry to hear that something like this happened to you. Its a shame that we live in a society where can’t just trust our fellow humans.

    • +4

      Thanks mate, I appreciate your compassion.

  • Bikies

  • +3

    Puppy scams are not uncommon.
    Report it but realise that the police’s job is to attempt to stop the scammers NOT to recover your money.

    It’s tough but google puppy scams and you find the harsh reality of this world -2million lost in puppy scams last year in covid price hikes. $1500 is a cheap lesson.

    The unlucky ones sent themselves smiling holding their driver’s license and now deal with identity theft.

    Try your states version of guide dog/companion dog. If you qualify plus wait list time they can help with an appropriately trained disability companion dog.

  • -3

    No need to havapoo over a non existent cavapoo.

    You stuffed up.

    Move on. Just like your $1500 has. Your cash was converted to 8 balls which was converted into even more cash. That's how they roll.

  • +4

    I'm not here to help other than to say I am really sorry and the double heartbreak of losing money and not getting a dog you clearly want is horrible.

    I just found this sad :(

  • +1

    Sorry for the lost of $1500 but you can put it as future investment on lesson learn. You have done well, your lost is below average for average Australian who get scammed $2431.

    • Very interesting! Thanks for sharing that. 2.4k sounds like a bit but that average is probably propped up by those who got hit hard. Hope most of them got their money back.

      • +2

        Unlikely.

  • Make a police report. Police should be able to chase up who the account is registered to if it’s an Australian account. If the bank hasn’t done their job in checking the person’s identity surely there’s some fault on their part.

    • +1

      I reported it to the local police (Victoria Police)

      • Ah.., yeah, I see that now.

    • Did you miss the part about stolen identity? It's likely that the police would chase the account back and it was opened with false details.

  • +1

    That’s a really unfortunate event but I’m glad you were able freeze their accounts so it doesn’t happen to others. I hope you are able to secure a puppy in the future. May I ask, did you go through gumtree or trading post for the “purchase” of the puppy?

  • At least you're in a position to be spending $1500 on a puppy. You made a spare $1500 and you can do it again. You can always buy another puppy.

    • +1

      They’re not. $1500 was the best deal OP could find.

  • Dogs used to be FREE.

    • -1

      Helpful contribution

  • +2

    I really hope these people get what they deserve, a very early death

  • +1

    It's really sad how pets are in such short supply due to the pandemic (even rescues, depending on their size), when there are literally millions and millions of abandoned dogs and cats in many parts of the world being put down or left to roam the streets because there are just too many of them and no one to adopt them. Many of the animals are perfectly loyal affectionate pets but people won't take them because it's easy to buy from a pet shop/puppy mill plus they think there must be something wrong with an abandoned pet. I really wish it was easier to adopt rescue dogs from overseas, there are so many people who'd love to give them a loving home.

    • +1

      I really wish it was easier to adopt rescue dogs from overseas, there are so many people who'd love to give them a loving home.

      Blame Australia's biosecurity. We are one of the only rabies-free countries in the world, and to keep it that way, import requires significant paperwork with vets at both ends and Department of Ag, several rounds of rabies vaccination (and titre testing), and a 10 day stint in PEQ. That's a significant hurdle, and the cost will exceed a new puppy.

    • What's really sad is the number of extinct & endangered native animals in this country and the rest of the world for that matter. Every abandoned cat & dog should be immediately euthanased and all the money that used to go into housing & feeding them at animal shelters should be spent on saving native wildlife. I know I'll be severely bagged for this comment, however I think with my head rather than my bleeding cute puppy/kitten heart. I also saw an interesting statistic the other week regarding world meat consumption by country. It went something like this: If all the dogs & cats in America were a country, they'd rank 5th. (In the world.) (For meat consumption.)

      • Surely if you think the number of cats and dogs are a problem, more countries should shut down puppy mills, introduce microchipping and breeder licences (like we do here), and do more to stop the vicious cycle of people impulse purchasing cute puppies then abandoning them only to purchase more when they feel like it - rather than proposing that all abandoned animals be euthanised? All animals except wildlife and strays are bred by people for people's benefit. They're not objects to be disposed of when they're no longer convenient. And why does it have to be the money used towards shelters that's redirected to saving wildlife? Why not other funds?
        Regarding your point about meat consumption, people eat meat and deliberately breed pets that also eat meat. I fail to see how it's the animals' fault or an argument for their euthanasia. If it's an issue, stop breeding so many of them - solves both the shelter and meat consumption issues.

        • They're not objects to be disposed of when they're no longer convenient

          People are going to be doing this forever and there isn't anything that will stop it.
          It already happens to children despite all the laws that are in place.

          • +1

            @Blitzfx: Oh yes there's no doubt it'll keep happening. Just saying it's not right to suggest that that's what should be done.

  • You're probably out of luck with the $1500. Maybe get a rescue next time.

  • +2

    The police should help. Anything you purchase online you should be protecting yourself. You can easily identify scams by the age of the website and completing a simply google search on the site prior to anything.

    Even when you speak to these people, you can tell they (profanity) retards at english.

    Look at cavoodleclub, they have been stinging people for 1500 a pup, as soon as you 'have someone near to see the dog' they lose contact. Anyone that wants a deposit before anything.

    I am sure you already know this now from this forum but this doesn't just happen with animals but facebook, gumtree and ebay.

    The cybercrime.gov site will help and even visit the people you have been done wrong by, if they can find them. I have gone through this twice and they were very helpful.

  • +1

    It turns out that this was a sophisticated scam

    No it's not!

    Sorry for your loss though.

  • I saw the same event on A Current Affair a few months back. Was it you op?

    • this is a very common scam.

    • No

  • +2

    Put it down as a learning experience mate. You'll never make that mistake again, I did it once about 15 years ago getting sucked into a brand new phone I knew was worth $1000 plus and some guy in Romania was selling it for $500 in ebay… You know how this story finishes.

    Anyway, type into gumtree "dog free to a good home " and set yourself notification and wait for a the right dog to come along that really needs a home. That way not all will be lost and you'll find yourself a best mate without spending a cent more.

  • +1

    Look up Pets Haven on FB and add them. Always puppies and various dogs of all ages that need homes. I got my wolfhound x from them and he is the best dog I have ever had. Pricing for their pets will vary but all are given dressed etc.

  • happened to me see one of my post I was able to recover it

  • +3

    Your bank can recover. Keep pushing them. They may even reimburse you out of good will if you're a long customer and keep persisting to pursue the fraud case. (CBA reimbursed me on their good will basis however it's not their obligation)

    Also keep progressing with the scam police application aswell. But unlikely you get any recovery in this process.

  • Not confident you're going to get your money back. It sucks big time hey but is a good lesson.

  • -1

    NEVER EVER TRANSFER MONEY WITHOUT SEEING THE PRODUCT FOR YOUR OWN EYES

  • Any online purchase use a CC or PayPal, if seller doesn’t take these either find one who does or don’t buy.
    Get a zero fee CC and be disciplined and pay your balance off each month.
    ING are a faceless bank. Have never been helpful with any of my queries. Use them for Savings Maximiser HISA and that’s it.
    Get you CC off a local bank. Do any money transfers through them so if you need to you can go and front them F2F for help or even demand to see a manager. Understand what if any account fees are what’s needed for zero fees so you can move money in and out as needed to avoid them.
    Stepping down from my soapbox.

  • +1

    If you really have your heart set on a puppy why not register with organisations that supply trained dogs such as Guide Dogs Australia, State Police Forces etc.
    My sister-in-law does this with the NSW Police and she has a puppy for the first 12 months or so of its' life. Basically your are socialising them and getting them used to crate training.
    She is currently on Police puppy number 6 (previously she looked after 5 puppies for Guide Dogs Aust.

    There is a permanent puppy in her life - definitely something I would not be able to do for that length of time but she really enjoys the puppy phase.
    She did say that it is hard to hand them back at the end of the 12 months but it doesn't take long to transfer her affection to the new one - her hallway photo gallery is impreesive though.

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