Apollo Frenchie

Victim Location 02180

Total money lost $1,600

Type of a scam Online Purchase

I used this website to express interest in purchasing a French bulldog. The site seemed legitimate and I searched online to see if there were any postings about this breeder. I could not find anything so continued to move ahead purchasing Bluey. I received numerous communications, signed a contract and then sent payment. Because of Covid they said we were not allowed to see or pick up the pup. We needed to make payment through Venmo and Zelle. Once payment was complete we were told they needed screenshots and then had to wait a few days for them to confirm payment. This was over Fourth of July weekend and they stopped responding to email. We heard back one more time saying they were away for the holiday but would register the dog and we would hear from them in a day. That was the last communication. We have tried to reach them several times with no response.

Victim Location 02121

Type of a scam Other

Web site claims to sell pets at a reduced rate from normal. Supposedly located in Massachusetts, the same listings and photos were posted on another web site using the same URL but claiming to be in Brooklyn, NY. The same pets were listed as being the same age (number of weeks), but the two posts are 1 month different in timing.The seller sends a series of templated email messages, demands full payment using Venmo, after which supposedly they will send a contract for purchase and arrange pet delivery. No specific questions about specific available pets are ever answered. No negotiation questions are ever answered. When informed that my spouse was an attorney, and we wanted to read the contract in advance, all communication ceased. Asking for additional photos of the pet went unanswered. The business is not registered as a kennel in the city where it is supposedly located. No license for breeding/sale of pets has been issued by the local city.