Scam Watch
Check before you pay
South Africans lose millions every year to pet scams. Search our community-reported scam database by phone number, email address or website before paying any deposit — and if you've been scammed, report it to protect the next buyer.
Microchip registration "renewal" phishing scams
A documented scam pattern. You get an email or SMS saying your pet's microchip registration has "expired" and must be renewed via a link, wh...
Impersonating a real breeder or shelterFake rescue and adoption-fee scams
A documented scam pattern. Scammers pose as animal shelters or rescues, advertising pets for adoption and asking for a "refundable" deposit...
Other pet scamFake animal-charity and injured-animal donation scams
A documented scam pattern. Fake "rescues" post distressing photos of injured, skinny or sick animals and beg followers to donate for food, v...
Overpayment / refund scamFake proof-of-payment (POP) scams
A documented scam pattern targeting sellers. A "buyer" sends a screenshot or PDF "proof of payment" and pressures you to hand over the pet o...
Overpayment / refund scamThe "payment is on its way, please release" instant-EFT scam
A documented scam pattern. A buyer claims to have sent an instant EFT and shares a reference or "pending" confirmation, urging you to releas...
Other pet scamQR-code payment scams in pet sales
A documented scam pattern. A "seller" or "buyer" sends a QR code to scan for a quick payment or a "refund", but the code authorises money ou...
Other pet scamGift-card and voucher payment demands
A documented scam pattern. At some point the "seller", "courier" or "rescue" asks to be paid in gift cards or store vouchers, or to read out...
Other pet scamCryptocurrency payment demands for pets
A documented scam pattern. The seller insists on payment in Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency because it is fast and irreversible, which is...
Overpayment / refund scamChargeback and reversed-payment scams against sellers
A documented scam pattern that targets sellers. A buyer pays by card or instant EFT, collects the pet, then reverses the payment or files a...
Fake breeder or pet shop websitePet scams on Gumtree South Africa
A documented pattern. Classifieds like Gumtree list pets from anyone and offer no buyer protection, so scam adverts are common: underpriced...
Fake breeder or pet shop websitePet scams on Facebook Marketplace and Facebook groups
A documented pattern. Facebook Marketplace and buy-and-sell groups are full of pet scam adverts, often from freshly-made or hijacked profile...
Fake breeder or pet shop websitePet scams on OLX, Junk Mail and other classifieds
A documented pattern. Older classifieds sites and their newer replacements carry the same pet scams: cheap purebreds, recycled photos, and a...
Impersonating a real breeder or shelterWhatsApp and Telegram breeder-group scams
A documented pattern. Scammers join or run WhatsApp and Telegram "breeder" and "pets for sale" groups, sometimes impersonating the group adm...
Impersonating a real breeder or shelterInstagram cattery and kennel scams
A documented pattern. Polished Instagram accounts pose as boutique catteries or kennels, using stolen photos and bought followers to look es...
Fake breeder or pet shop websiteAI-generated puppy and kitten photo scams
A newer, documented pattern. Scammers now use AI to generate photos and even short videos of pets that do not exist, defeating the old "reve...
Common pet scams in South Africa
Know the pattern before you pay — every type below has been reported here
Puppy / pet deposit scam
You paid a deposit (usually via EFT or e-wallet) for a puppy, kitten or other pet that never existed. The "breeder" disappears or keeps inventing new fees.
Courier or delivery fee scam
After paying for a pet, an alleged courier or "pet transport agency" demands extra fees: a special travel crate, insurance, permits. The pet never arrives.
Fake vet bill or insurance fee scam
The seller or a fake vet demands payment for vaccinations, health certificates or emergency treatment for the pet you already paid for.
Fake breeder or pet shop website
A professional-looking breeder or pet shop website with stolen photos, fake reviews and no real animals behind it.
Impersonating a real breeder or shelter
The scammer poses as a real, registered breeder or shelter, using their name, photos or KUSA details to appear legitimate.
Overpayment / refund scam
A "buyer" overpays for your pet or supplies with a fake payment, then asks you to refund the difference before the payment bounces.
Other pet scam
Any other scam involving pets: pet sitting, grooming, lost-pet ransom demands, adoption fee fraud and more.
The safest way to buy a pet
Every PetGuru breeder and shelter goes through verification — SA ID validation with hashed storage and reuse checks, document review, SAVC name-roll matching for vets, and proof they control the business they claim — before earning a verified badge. Read our Safety & Anti-Scam Guide, and when you're ready, buy from a verified seller.
Browse Verified Breeders
Reports on Scam Watch are submitted by members of the public and reflect the reporter's own account of events. PetGuru moderates every report before publication but cannot independently verify each claim. If a report concerns you, see our Notice & Take-Down procedure.
