(NORFOLK COUNTY, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Norfolk County Detachment is investigating a fraud after being contacted by concerned resident at an Austin Crescent, Simcoe, Norfolk County, Ontario address.
Between Friday, November 22, 2013 and Tuesday, December 1, 2013 a resident located an ad on a website for a French bulldog that was for sale. Communication was established at which time the seller of the animal advised that they were currently in Yellowknife, and was looking for a buyer for their animal.
A price for the animal was negotiated and funds were subsequently sent through the use of a money wiring service. Additional funds were requested and sent in order to cover the costs of transporting the animal along with the necessary insurance required which totalled $1,500 dollars however the animal never arrived.
Some scam artists use stolen photos in their ads, claiming they are pictures of animals for sale. Actually, the seller does not have the animals that he/she is trying to sell. The seller will ask for money in advance and refer the unsuspecting person to a money wiring service. The buyer is then continually asked for additional funds to cover insurance, transport costs as well as fees incurred for veterinarian visits. The buyer will wait for few days and when they do not receive the animal, attempt to contact the seller, receiving no answer.