Salina Post
A Facebook ad that offered a cat for adoption, resulted in a woman losing $7,000.
According to the Salina Police Department (SPD) on Thursday, a 57-year old female reported that on Monday, September 29 she came across an ad on Facebook for a Maine Coon Cat that was available for adoption. The profile offering the cat was named "Nathan’s Free Kittens for Adoption and Rehoming.”
After the woman engaged with interest, she came in contact with an individual and agreed to pay $100 for the cat. She was advised to send the payment through a Walmart gift card. The scammer told the woman the cat was "being shipped through a company called Global Logistic out of Lincoln, NE."
Furthermore, she received a message from an individual claiming to be a "representative from Global Logistic," who indicated they needed $300 to cover a "pet carrier rental fee" and an additional $300 for "transportation fees."
The woman then paid the amount through prepaid Visa gift cards. Moreover, she received another message stating "a refundable $1000 for insurance was needed," which she again paid through a prepaid Visa card.
Shortly after she made the payment, the scammers informed her they needed an additional $1500 for a "transfer fee," which was required for the cat to leave Nebraska. The scammers added, the money would be "refunded upon delivery."
Additionally, the scammers told the woman a $1000 “nanny fee” was required for the company to continue care for the cat, which was also paid using a prepaid Visa gift card.
Moreover, the woman received a video of the cat and was told the cat was almost ready to be shipped but an additional transport and nanny fees were needed. The woman then sent an amount of $2,800 through gift cards.
Once this transaction was made, the woman became suspicious and texted the scammers, saying she contacted law enforcement.
The profile and post offering the cat was then removed.
Total loss was approximately $7000.
The Salina Police Department wants to advise community members when on computers or using social media be very careful. DO NOT click on pop ups.
If you are having issues with your computer, take it to a reputable technician or someone you trust. Also DO NOT send money to someone you have never met online. If you are told to purchase gift cards or send money through Bitcoin DO NOT send it without speaking with a trusted relative, your bank, or law enforcement, it is going to be a scam. Once gift card numbers or account numbers are provided the money becomes nearly impossible to recover. Anytime a subject keeps adding additional “fees” or advises you not to tell anyone, not to tell your bank, or not to involve law enforcement, it is a scam.