Description

My mother was searching for a place to purchase a Jack Russell Terrier. She came across the website fausto jack russell home and saw puppies for purchase. She made contact with seller via phone and text at this number: 430-258-8249. They agreed on a price of $1,000 (price of puppy plus shipping since he would be transported from Texas to Florida). The only payment options the seller offered/would accept was Apple Pay or Cash App. The payment was ultimately sent via Cash App to the seller at Cash App ID: Sleez. The seller sent a purchase contract to be signed via DocuSign. On the day of transport, my mother received a text message from this number: 925-230-7603, claiming to be a Michael Plei, a representative of Shipper Squad. Shipper Squad is the company that was supposed to be responsible for making sure the animal was in a travel safe crate since he would be flown in. The text message stated that the crate that the animal was dropped off in was not sufficient for travel. Therefore, two options for crates were provided, one of which would need to be purchased in order to safely ship the animal. One option was $1200 and the other was $1900. We became suspicious and decided to look up the Shipper Squad website. We attempted to call the number listed on the website: 252-346-6447, and there was no answer or an opportunity to leave a voicemail. The number was not in service. Upon speaking to the seller, we realized that it was a scam. If there was even a dog for purchase at all, it certainly had not be dropped off or provided for shipment. We pressed the seller for additional details and received a link to track the puppy but the link was unusable. We cancelled the deal and asked that the seller return the money that was paid. He has not responded to requests to return the money and has not sent the money back via Cash App. My mother submitted a claim with Cash App but is aware that she may not get her money back. We just want to make this report in the hopes that this person/people are caught so that this does not happen to anyone else. Thank you for your time.