Norfolk OPP are reminding residents to never send money via wire or e-mail when it comes to purchasing items from sale websites.
In this case, a Norfolk resident contacted OPP after the French Mastiff puppy they bought from someone in North Bay never arrived at the airport.
The buyer was told a $500 deposit was required in order to put the puppy on a plane and send it to the Hamilton airport.
After being told the puppy was in the air, the buyer sent the $1,000 balance owing to the seller.
The Mastiff pup never arrived.
"Don't be a victim," said Norfolk County OPP Constable Ed Sanchuck. "Fraud is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that will only stop when the scammers stop getting money, banking information or personal information."
OPP have the following tips for people buying and selling things online:
- Know whom you are dealing with - independently confirm your seller's name, street, address, and telephone number.
- Resist pressure to "act now." If an offer sounds too good to be true it usually is.
- If the buyer wants to use a service you have not heard of, be sure to check it out to be sure it is reliable - check its Web site, call its customer service hotline, and read its terms of agreement and privacy policy. If you do not feel comfortable with the service, do not use it.
- NEVER wire money or use a bank-to-bank transfer in a transaction.
- ALWAYS try to deal locally when buying or selling anything or of high-value.
- DO NOT sell or buy any animal from someone who is unable or unwilling to meet you face to face.
- NEVER buy any animal that you have not seen in real life and had inspected by a professional.