Dream Dog Scam: Woman Loses £500 to Fake Online Breeder’

Published: 16 August’ 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

When Kate Margolis stumbled upon her dream dog for sale online, she believed she had found the perfect companion. What she did not realise at the time was that she had walked straight into a well-organised scam that has already cost Britons millions of pounds.

Kate, a web designer by profession, said she was immediately impressed by the breeder’s website, which looked polished, trustworthy, and professional. Convinced of its legitimacy, she made contact with the man behind it. He called her directly, asking personal questions about her home, lifestyle, and her plans for the dog’s upbringing. After the conversation, he told her she could secure a puppy by paying a £500 deposit, with the promise that she could collect her chosen dog in three months’ time.

But just days before the collection date, she received a shocking message. The breeder claimed her puppy had eaten plastic and died. Suspicious, Kate pressed for answers and asked for her money back. That was when the man cut off all contact. His website was suddenly taken down, his phone went dead, and he blocked her on every channel. The £500 she had saved for her dream pet had vanished.

“At first I thought it was strange,” Kate explained. “A reputable breeder wouldn’t allow a puppy to chew something dangerous and die. Something didn’t add up. When I asked for my deposit back, he disappeared, and my money disappeared with him.”

Kate is far from alone. According to data from Action Fraud, pet scams have surged across the UK in recent years, with more than £7.2 million lost since 2019 through 14,300 reports. Fraud experts have warned that criminals are exploiting the growing demand for pets by setting up fake adverts on social media and online marketplaces, targeting people who are desperate to bring home a new companion.

Kate admitted that at the time she was so consumed by the idea of owning a golden retriever that she ignored the warning signs. “I thought he had probably just been oversubscribed,” she said. “I even called in sick from work and spent the whole day searching for another breeder. I wasn’t thinking about being scammed – I just wanted a puppy.”

It was only later, after she began working in the pet industry, that she realised she had been deceived. “Asking for deposits and disappearing is such a common theme,” she said. “These people hide behind fake names and fake accounts, leaving nothing to trace.”

Kate has since learned that scammers do not always disappear after receiving money. Some will send buyers the wrong animal altogether. “I’ve heard of cases where someone ordered a goldendoodle but received an Irish wolfhound,” she explained.

The experience prompted her to take action. Recognising that prospective pet owners had no straightforward way of verifying breeders, she launched Petproov, a UK-based pet tech startup. The platform allows buyers to conduct risk verification checks using government-grade ID systems, helping to expose fraudulent operations before money changes hands.

Since founding Petproov, Kate has witnessed first-hand the increasingly sophisticated methods scammers employ. Some use AI-generated photos and videos of dogs, while others hire rental properties to stage convincing meet-ups with families. “AI has made scams far more seamless,” she warned. “Many people simply cannot tell what’s real and what’s fake.”

Her advice to buyers is simple: trust your instincts. “If a breeder refuses to verify themselves, walk away, no matter how much you want the dog. A genuine seller won’t hesitate.”

Action Fraud has echoed this warning. Chief Superintendent Amanda Wolf, who leads the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, urged prospective buyers to be vigilant. “Criminals prey on people looking to buy their next pet online. Always ask to view the animal in person or via video call before parting with any money. Do not pay deposits or holding fees without confirming the animal exists. And avoid bank transfers – they are a fraudster’s best friend.”

For Kate, the ordeal was devastating, not only financially but emotionally. She had imagined her future with the dog that never existed. Yet out of that heartbreak, she has channelled her energy into protecting others from similar pain. Her story serves as both a cautionary tale and a reminder that in the age of digital deception, even the most convincing websites can be nothing more than smoke and mirrors.