WingedWolf
New member
This individual joined a linked in group, "Reptile Breeders", and posted the following ad:
"hello dear friends we have a lace monitor , macaw parrot and a pied ball python for adoption for more details please contact [email protected]
adopt and rehome our animals
we are really running out of space"
One of the other members posted a fraud alert on them, claiming they were asking for payment via Western Union. I suggested to them that if they were legitimate, they should seek to clear their name, and post proof that the animals were in their possession - such as a photo next to a current newspaper, etc.
They then flagged my post, not realizing that I was the group moderator...
I spotted the same ad posted in a different reptile group on Linked-In, and this time, they claimed that 'Rudri Reptiles' was owned by their son, who had died, and they needed to rehome the animals quickly as a result. I posted again, suggesting that they needed to prove the animals were in their possession, since there had been an accusation of fraud. I got a nasty private message in return, that they didn't know why I was 'spoiling their option', since people could still pay via paypal and cheques.'
I explained, very politely, that there had been an accusation of scamming, and that Western Union was a method often used by scammers. I described how those who haven't established a reputation may need to go above and beyond to prove their legitimacy, and suggested how they could do that.
They sent me another PM and swore at me, so I've blocked them from the group. Not exactly the behavior of bereaved parents trying to rehome a dead son's animals, eh? Nor did the txt-speak message look particularly like something an older person would type. The original posts are up on the group, and I can provide them if necessary. They've been spotted elsewhere in the reptile communities, and they're probably cruising the avian communities as well (it's a good bet). I recommend anyone tempted to deal with them be very cautious.
"hello dear friends we have a lace monitor , macaw parrot and a pied ball python for adoption for more details please contact [email protected]
adopt and rehome our animals
we are really running out of space"
One of the other members posted a fraud alert on them, claiming they were asking for payment via Western Union. I suggested to them that if they were legitimate, they should seek to clear their name, and post proof that the animals were in their possession - such as a photo next to a current newspaper, etc.
They then flagged my post, not realizing that I was the group moderator...
I spotted the same ad posted in a different reptile group on Linked-In, and this time, they claimed that 'Rudri Reptiles' was owned by their son, who had died, and they needed to rehome the animals quickly as a result. I posted again, suggesting that they needed to prove the animals were in their possession, since there had been an accusation of fraud. I got a nasty private message in return, that they didn't know why I was 'spoiling their option', since people could still pay via paypal and cheques.'
I explained, very politely, that there had been an accusation of scamming, and that Western Union was a method often used by scammers. I described how those who haven't established a reputation may need to go above and beyond to prove their legitimacy, and suggested how they could do that.
They sent me another PM and swore at me, so I've blocked them from the group. Not exactly the behavior of bereaved parents trying to rehome a dead son's animals, eh? Nor did the txt-speak message look particularly like something an older person would type. The original posts are up on the group, and I can provide them if necessary. They've been spotted elsewhere in the reptile communities, and they're probably cruising the avian communities as well (it's a good bet). I recommend anyone tempted to deal with them be very cautious.
