Comments:Nigerian "free puppy" scam revealed on the internet

From Wikinews, the free news source you can write!
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Back to article

This page is for commentary on the news. If you wish to point out a problem in the article (e.g. factual error, etc), please use its regular collaboration page instead. Comments on this page do not need to adhere to the Neutral Point of View policy. You should sign your comments by adding ~~~~ to the end of your message. Please remain on topic. Though there are very few rules governing what can be said here, civil discussion and polite sparring make our comments pages a fun and friendly place. Please think of this when posting.

Quick hints for new commentators:

  • Use colons to indent a response to someone else's remarks
  • Always sign your comments by putting --~~~~ at the end
  • You can edit a section by using the edit link to the right of the section heading


LOL[edit]

Why would anyone pay to have a dog shipped from Nigeria?

You morons deserve to be scammed!

Children are dying in Nigeria for lack of $1 worth of anti-biotics or grain and you people spend $500 to have a soul-less dog shipped back to your home?

--206.116.168.12 04:59, 21 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Ah, but while one can flip the TV channel away from the crying, starving, filthy child during a 30-second ad, they cannot bear to look away from an adorable puppy. irid t i e 05:04, 21 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
I guess, personally I've never really liked dogs all that much. --206.116.168.12 05:11, 21 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

grand scheme[edit]

I wonder how insignificant this is in the grand scheme of internet scamming? With the 'I love you' virus, and the massive amounts of Asians farming MMORPGs for money in sweat shops? Contralya 10:21, 21 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]

Farming for MMORPGs isn't really a scam. It's pretty stupid for anyone to pay for fake items though. --206.116.168.12 11:15, 21 September 2007 (UTC)[reply]
It's not technically a scam, but it is abuse. Getting items and money and stuff and selling it for real money; it has damaged many in-game economies (if you play runescape a free MMORPG, you will notice farmers are everywhere). What I meant was abuse of the internet that is or should be illegal.

Watch out alot of these scammers are from Cameroun and the same thing say its free and keep chaning there story. They say there wife has died or their daughter was in a car accident. Its freaking nuts dont trust them. If anyone wants I have all the e-mails stil savedon my computer if anyone wants to see the nonsence they say.

Thanks Samantha —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.238.42.249 (talk) 18:12, 8 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

i almost did it till i googled this site[edit]

yup i almost did it . same baby line . same i am a man of god line , i want a yorkie found one in an ad replied and he called her is baby annie, well thank god for google! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 67.149.25.209 (talk) 02:14, 16 March 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I reciently was shoping online for a Cavalier puppy. I e-mailed one lady, Jessica Jones, about an add that was online about her puppies, she e-mailed me back (attached) that hers was sold but a friend had some that she could no longer keep because she was in Africa and it was not a good place to have puppies. I contacted her and her response is also attached below.....I tried to think of questions and things I could do to see if this was for real....I started searching online, trying to see if anything was out there about a scam on this...and I found your site. I feel that this was also a scam that I came real close to falling for! So.....everyone BEWARE! THey went to a lot of trouble to get this one started! Hope this may help someone!


______________________________________________________________________________________________

Hello, the puppy is AKC Registered, has all shots up-to-date and she's vet checked. But unfortunately, she's just been adopted, some minutes ago by Mr. Richard, and I was just been contacted by one of my customer that I sold some puppies to who mailed me just now to inform me that they are looking for a caring person to adopt their puppies.

Her name is Evangelist Mariam Harper, she called me that she has been transferred to West Africa on a Christian mission, due to her immediate relocation, she went with her husband, and also had her puppies with her over there.

Her commitment to the work of God could not enable her to stay with the puppies often according to her, and that the climatic condition of the country is too harsh for the puppy's health, so she needs a caring parent who can adopt the babies back to the United State of America as soon as possible.

She will provide the shipping agent to have the puppies shipped back to you and you will only be paying for the shipping fee. I suggest you contact her soon as possible Via Email: mariamharper@gmail.com.

She will be very much delightful to hear from you, so as to have these puppies shipped to you ASAP.

She requested a caring and loving parent for her babies and I am so sure she will be so excited if she knows I directed you to her. Kindly notify me immediately the babies are adopted.

Best Regards ______________________________________________________________________________________________


e-mail #2

Hello, Thanks for mailing me about my babies and i have them available with me. They are my real babies and it's really hard letting off this Angels but I have to if I really love them. I am currently on a Christian mission to the West Africa in a country called Nigeria. I came down with my babies. I got here to see that my babies are not meant for this kind of place. I need a God fearing person that will be there for this babies I am giving them out for adoption, it's only the shipping charge that is needed to get them back to the U.S.A.

My babies names are derby (female) and terry (male). They are 3months and a day old today, AKC registered recently dewormed, current on all shots, well animated and friendly kids and people. My church member loves them so much but I could not let any of them adopt the babies because it's still same West Africa. Let me have your full mailing address and the nearest airport to your home so as to determine what the shipping and handling charge would be from my shipping agent that shipped them into West Africa for me.

Please be a Dearing parent to this Angels when they arrives your home because they are my babies. They will be missed but I will always remember you and them in my daily prayers. Please see attached pics

God bless you


______________________________________________________________________________________________

E-mail #3



Hello, Thanks for the mail and interest in one of my babies, and my baby going to a loving home is a dream come true. The puppies are currently vaccinated, vet examined, health certified from a licensed vet, comes with a hand written one year health guarantee and they are recently checked by a licensed vet doctor for heart, knees, skin, correct bite, and eyes, they are well socialized with many hours of play time and lots of love, they love playing with children and other pets and have their proper veterinary check ups, worming and dewormings.

They should eat out of a pan which has a flat bottom and straight sides, use stainless steel plates because it lasts longer, Do not use plastic for they food or water, they like Nylabone and Gummabone toys but do not give them a rawhide toy, for grooming, brush weekly and bath as it needs also keep their hair trimmed out of his ears and eyes, his bedding material should range from straw, wood shavings or beds of all types, the most common is cotton rugs or blankets which can be washed with ease.

They are trained but they need some little assistance, you can wait a while so that they are settled comfortably into their new home before you begin, they need lots of exercise like Long walks, jogging, playing and skills trials keep it happy. l feed with Nutro's, Iam's, and Eukanuba.

These kibbles produces a nice coat, keeps the puppies round but not obese, and produces solid stools. but do not feed them with a kibble which contains soyabeans. The puppies are well trained, their health is guarantee and they took the following vitaments.3V-Caps for development of skin and Coat, NEW Glycol-Flex Stage for development of joints, also it's good if someone can always be on the look out for the puppies since they are still young and tender.

They will be shipped with the following: 1. A 200 series travel kennel (29" L x 19" W x 18" H), Airline approved. 2. Health certificate and avid mic ro-chip form. 3. Updated and current shot and worming records. 4. 32 oz. Water bottle they will be accompanied with a Health Guarantee as well as one Hereditary Congenital Defect Guarantee, health license are available, a bath and a brand new crate, toys, care books, food sample, dog kits.

We are going to ship them to you on next day delivery after shippment through a shipping agent. The shipping fee for the babies is $500 and if you are taking one of them you will be making a payment of $300, you will be making the payment to the shipping agent through Money Gram or western union Money transfer

You will be picking them up at Texarkanna Airport as soon as the payment is confirm by the shipping agent. You will be making the payment directly to the shipping agent via Money gram or western union Money Transfer for immediate shipping arrangement. Kindly get back to me as soon as possible in other to send you the information you will need in making the payment to the shipping agent via Money gram or western union Money Transfer. All i want is a good and loving home for my babies. Kindly promise me they will be taken care of and please get back to me with their picture's every month

If you really care for this babies we will be making all preparation for you co's the babies needs a good home and when you get your new pups, remember to ask for your free puppy care items; puppy's toys, carebooks, food sample, and dog kits at the airport upon arrival of the babies, if you are interested in having them, i want you to get back to me asap.

I was informed by the shipping agent that if you wish to recieve these babies tomorrow, it is possible because there are different daily flights from Nigeria leaving for the United States on daily routine, please get back to me so that i can forward the shipping agent payment information if you are ready to take the babies in by tomorrow.

Await your response asap. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.15.145.16 (talk) 23:49, 18 August 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I Almost fell for this scam![edit]

Just yesturday my husband and I saw an add in the paper for free yorkie terrior puppies. I contacted "paul" through email & he told me he was a reverend on a mission in africa & that he & his family could not care for the puppies. he told me he would ship the puppies to me & asked me for my full name, address & phone number. I had a feeling this was a scam and then I found this article. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.194.98.158 (talk) 04:53, 10 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I Almost fell for this scam![edit]

Just yesturday my husband and I saw an add in the paper for free yorkie terrior puppies. I contacted "paul" through email & he told me he was a reverend on a mission in africa & that he & his family could not care for the puppies. he told me he would ship the puppies to me & asked me for my full name, address & phone number. I had a feeling this was a scam and then I found this article. Here is the email he sent me.

Hello,


Thank you very much and I'm very very happy to read from you about your response on taking good care of the babies.they are 18weeks old and both home trained and outdoor trained also playful with other animals and kids. The male named (Chilly) weigh 2lbs and the female named (Tilly) weigh 2.5lbs and will weigh big when fully grown.they are both A K C registered and shots are given up to date and both home trained. both of them are my darling sweetheart and super spoiled! They both have a sweet personality and loves to play and be carried around.

 But I'm very sorry to tell you that it is too late  for you to get the babies now. What really happened was that i just  left the state for Africa in some few days ago after i posted the  the ad on the newspaper and before i left, i did not get any response from anybody that could take very good care of them for me.So i got a missionary call from our missionary headquarters in Africa ,then i have to bring the babies along with me here in Africa since i couldn't find someone to adopt them before i left the state.

 I'm still willing to give the babies out to someone  who can take very good care of them for me forever. All papers will  accompany the puppies when shipped to you, Due to our long staying over here in africa,and the bad weather my Wife and I have concluded to get good home and care for our babies. We are not charging or selling them to you for money but to save their lifes saved and care for  them so this means that,you and i will be paying for the shipment of the puppies to you.they are VET checked, but right now we are in Africa on a Christian mission with my wife and 3 kids together with Tilly and Chilly,we have the puppies right here with us.
 We are going to ship to you via a Diplomatic Courier  Service Company with Express Delivery on next day delivery,if you  are really interested in having my little babies, i want you to get  back to me with your full Name,Home Address,direct contact phone  number and name of the nearest Airport to you.Please if you know that you are not capable of taking very good care of my babies,do not reply me because i am giving them out because of bad condition and we're spending months for the christian mission and i don't want  Tilly and Chilly to die in this bad weather.And because we don't have time to take care of them due to the missionary work before us  here.They are priceless to me,therefore i am giving both for free,so i will like you to get back to me with your full name and full address including your nearest airport so that i can find out shipping cost.

I've attached pics of Chilly and Tilly.

Please i want you to promise me that you will take very good care of them as soon as they get to you.

Thank you and God bless you and your family.

Regards, Rev.Paul James —Preceding unsigned comment added by 99.194.98.158 (talk) 05:00, 10 February 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Nigerian Free Puppy Scam Still Happening March '09[edit]

This is sad, but true & more people need to know about it! Our Pomeranian just died & our other Pom is missing his companion. We found an offer for a "free Pom puppy" on http://www.freepuppylistings.com & contacted the owner of the pup about our circumstances. We were told the puppy would be free, if we would pay the $200 shipping. We were also told the owner was doing Christian work in Africa & had the pup with her. Lucky for us, we'd had some previous exposure to these Nigerian scams, so when we asked several questions & only got back form letters, & when we were directed to pay an "agent" who would ship the dog (agent address in Nigeria), it was all too clear. BUYER BEWARE. We googled the name of the seller that was given, & found an article describing her involvement in helping to train companion dogs for the handicapped. The article indicated a Christian link, but we think they've just used this person's name & Christian affiliation as a cover up. If you go to freepuppylistings.com & click to see "other listings by this person", a bit of exploration reveals that one seller may have a variety of states from which they supposedly operate, AND there seem to be several sellers offering free dogs with these multiple/bogus addresses. We were unable to register/post a warning at freepuppylistings.com. It may well be that the entire site is set up specifically to perpetrate scams. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 72.224.243.220 (talk) 19:16, 26 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Free puppy scam[edit]

I just dealt with the same thing today. I googled the "shipping agent" name that was given and found out about this. It is with all breeds from rotts to boston terriors. I spoke with the man and he did the same thing" I am a man of god, here on a christian mission, blah blah. So I told him to send me the shipping confirmation and info and once I recieved the puppy I would pay...surprise I havent' heard from him again. He was/is using an account under Rebecca Thompson something like treebirch@live.com. I have already notified live about it. Hopefully they will delete this account! —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.144.196.209 (talk) 23:48, 29 March 2009 (UTC)[reply]

Teacup Yorkie Nigerian Scam[edit]

Ad in the Portland Maine newspaper regarding Yorkie. I have been looking for one and replied.

The story is that this New England man on a religious mission and doesn't have time to care for his beautiful puppy "baby". I was almost caught. From the e-mail..

I want you to know that i have started the shipping arrangements now cos i have forwarded your informations to the shipping agent and as soon as you make the payment she would be on her way tomorrow morning.i want you to know that i am a man of God and i can't do anything to tarnish my image here,besides i am a family man with a wife and kids so i am promising you that you will get my baby(katie) I can't do such a wicked and terrible thing like to rip you of your hard earned money and that is the reason more why we as a men of God,we are spreading the word of God so that sinners can turn away from their sinful ways and reckon with God so that his wrath will not fall on them cos we are encountering the last days.So do not have any fear what so ever. I want you to know that the shipping agent will be Delta pet airline in collaboration Virgin Nigeria airline, they specialize in shipping animals and pet and he told me that she would be flying with a badge,she will also be in a crate and that the shipping delivery that will ship her out are going to provide a pet expert to accompany her till she gets to her destination and I am asured that the shipping is going to be fine cos i am concerned about her safety. HERE IS THE SHIPPING AGENT PAYMENT INFORMATION AGAIN.

PAYMENT INFORMATION. Text Question:(IN GOD) Answer:(WE TRUST) RECIEVERS NAME: Kimberly Tumlinson. ADDRESS: 20,ALVES STREET, Lagos Nigeria. zip code 23401 full sender's name: Reference number:# Amount Sent:$350 Text question: Total Amount of Charge:

Thanks and stay blessed. David Howard.

Missionary with 2 yorkie puppies[edit]

I recieved an email from a Rev. Robert Miller. He and his family are on a missions trip in West Africa and he has 2 yorkie puppies ( has a picture of both and his family). He states that the weather is bad for the puppies and he is looking for someone to adopt them back in the states because of their health. He wants to make sure you send pictures of them to him every month. He doesn't ask for any money just help with half the shipping cost ($350.00). After you moneygram the money to a man named Micheal Jason with the Cabasa Aircargo Services, they send you confirmation of the money and shipment. It is supposed to be a 2day delivery and you are to pick them up at the airport closest to you once they get the info. Then they email and say that their has been a problem and the shipment has been stopped in the UK (London) because they didn't have the taxes paid on them ($950.00). The Rev. then emails saying that he has sent the proper papers and now all they need is $250.00 for the dogs to get rabie shots and sent to the US. When asked why so much, he states that because the shipment was stopped they have to put them on a new plane for delivery. He only wants $150.00 to help pay. It is to be moneygrammed to the same person (Michael Jason). The Rev. will call you and speak to you personally to help reassure you that it is not a scam. I had read about the scams for yorkies after the 1st initial moneygram was sent. And even though I had an uneasy feeling about this I sent the $150.00, because he told me that he would send a tracking # to help track the new shipment. I know that I have probably made a big mistake and I prayed to the Lord that I could really trust this Rev. but I don't know at this point.

 Will it be another scam or for real?  I will let everyone know when I find out.
Moneygram? You have been scammed, please amuse us with the next installment of them begging for money - and how it turns nasty about the puppies being put down and it being all your fault!! --Brian McNeil / talk 17:31, 5 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]

I too had an experience like this except I know about these over seas scams. I had sent an email in responce to a free puppy from "freepuppies.com" for a dog in connecticut. AThey sent me an email saying that the dog was in nigeria but that he could mail it for 150. I sent him an email back saying that we would have to pass. Then he sent me an aweful email back claiming that I was a horrible person and that he had a reference. Funny thing is the email from the reference he sent used the same horrible english that his emails used. I will pasted the entire email below.

<<<pasted>>>

Re: Alaskan Malamute Puppies for f - 69057 From: ralph jeffs <ralphjeffs@gmail.com>Add to Contacts To: ?



Hi Erin, i really understand what you are concerned about. i will like you to know that people are not the same in the world okay.Take a look at your fingers and tell me if they are the same. it sucks to think how a person could rip someone of his hard earned money. i will like you to know that i am from a Christian God-fearing family and will not engage in any devilish act. i went online posting because i needed a new home for our puppeis.a do not to get money. I must be frank that i got a little upset when i read your mail because its really ridiculous. i hope you are not thinking i am about to do what someone else have done. I know that in this world, the innocent always have to suffer the effects of what the evil ones do . I feel so bad to think that you cannot even trust me. However, i understand you really ,love the puppy but you are skeptical . i have one suggestion, if you can trust me, then get the puppy, if you cannot, then let us know and we will find a new home for her babeis.lastly this is the references email Below......

from Jenny Chloe <jennychloe20@yahoo.com> hide details Feb 9 (5 days ago)

to    ralphjeffs@gmail.com (Yes, this is you. Learn more)     
date   Feb 9, 2010 3:36 PM     
subject   Hi     
signed-by   yahoo.com     
mailed-by   yahoo.com    

thank you so so much i have received the puppy... give me you address or something an i will return you the money... i love you and so does the lord!!!

from Jenny Chloe <jennychloe20@yahoo.com> hide details Feb 9 (5 days ago)

to    ralphjeffs@gmail.com (Yes, this is you. Learn more)     
date   Feb 3, 2010 3:39 PM     
subject   Hello,Ralph     
signed-by   yahoo.com     
mailed-by   yahoo.com    

I have forwarded the money and i am so thankfull and sorry it was all this stressfull... we can not blame each other for the problems that have occured... its just this damn world that we live in and im so so sorry for al this... you will recieve pics of the puppy every month and i hope we stay in touch... you are a good man and i respect you for helping me this far...

puppy scam[edit]

He's still at it !!!!!!! He say's he's formerly a Canadian now living in NY (He doesn't write like a Canadian ). He has boxer puppies. Asked me for $147.00 US for the flight & my full name & full address for the delivery service. oh, and a few pictures of me, my family & my compound(I am not a breeder & have no interest in becoming one, I was only looking for a puppy that needed a home.) Say's his wife is working a lot & they don't have time to care for the puppies, his only wish is for these little ones to come back home to Canada. I didn't send any money or pictures but I wish I would have read this first, he has my full name, address & phone number. I asked him for all of his information as well, he got very upset & said I took too long to get back to him so he already found another home for "the boxer puppy" What do I do now ? He has all my information.... will he use it to try to scam someone else ? I hope not but I think he will. It is Saturday, March 6/ 2010. I hope this info is helpful to someone. Thank you for your time.[[link title][[File:Example.jpg--142.177.88.254 (talk) 13:21, 6 March 2010 (UTC)]]]--142.177.88.254 (talk) 13:21, 6 March 2010 (UTC)--142.177.88.254 (talk) 13:21, 6 March 2010 (UTC)[reply]