How the courier and transport-fee puppy scam works in South Africa
What happened
This is a documented scam pattern, not a report about one person. It is the most common and costly pet scam in South Africa. You find a puppy advertised online, often in another province, so the "breeder" says it must be couriered to you. After you pay, a fake "pet courier" demands about R13 000 for a special temperature-controlled travel crate, promising it is fully refundable on delivery. Then come more "last-minute" fees: insurance, vet clearance, airline and customs charges. Each one is urgent, and you are told the animal will be confiscated or handed to the SPCA if you do not pay. Fake tracking numbers and forged receipts keep the story alive. There is no puppy. A Gauteng-based syndicate runs over 100 fake pet and courier websites this way; the average victim loses about R17 000, and some have lost over R140 000 (News24). Never pay "refundable" crate or courier fees. Report scams to the SA Fraud Prevention Service on 083 123 7226 or at yima.org.za.
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