Daily Journal employee foils scammer
You can't get these puppies from the classified ads
By PAULA BARR
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Daily Journal Staff Writer
Published: Friday, January 01, 2010
Updated: Monday, December 28, 2009 10:19 AM CST
Updated: Monday, December 28, 2009 10:19 AM CST
Sometimes, it’s hard to resist having a little fun with scammers, especially when they dare to pose as Parkland residents.
Consider the case of “Melissa Roman,” who wanted to put an advertisement in the Daily Journal to sell boxer puppies. She submitted an ad online and provided a Park Hills address and phone number.
Unfortunately for the scammer, there is no Melissa Roman listed in the phone book, online or in city or county records living at that address. In fact, the address is a commercial building, not a residence, according to Park Hills utility records.
Dial the phone number and you get a message that the number is disconnected or no longer working. An online search shows it as a land line in Flat River that is unpublished.
Even before checking the customer information, it was obvious that the ad was a scam attempt. The newspaper gets similar ad requests on a regular basis.
Laura, the Daily Journal staff member who is responsible for weeding out scam ad submissions, decided to respond to Roman and see what happened. Using her private e-mail so as not to tip off the scammer, she crafted one simple line to entice the scammer into replying: “do you have puppies for sale? I’m interested...”
The next day, Roman replied.
“The puppy advertised has been bought by one Mrs Bessie Dredge and the pup is doing quite well with her and her family according to her recent update me about the pup welfare at her home,” the e-mail read. “I want to refer you to one Rev Nathaniel Margus He bought two puppies from me as well and he work with St Mary’s Catholic Church. He has been tranfered to Calabar in continuations to his missionary work.
“He went there with the two puppies he bought from me. Unfortunately, Calabar is not the place for these type of dogs. He contacted me to find a caring parent that will adopt the dogs back to the USA. He had no time for them, also the Calabar weather is so harsh for them according to him and this is really troubling him and his mission in Calabar.
“Contact Rev Nathaniel Margus and tell him I refered you to him. He will be excited if he knows you are from me.”
She provided an e-mail for Margus and ended, “Get me informed as soon as you adopt the pups from him. Best Regards”
So, Laura repeated her request, this time to Margus. He responded almost immediately.
“I sent the breeder to find a caring parent for my babies. I use to live in the USA before I got a divine call to serve God and humainty here in Calabar and this gave me little or not time for my babies. The weather here is also not lenient with my babies. They hardly come outside with me because of the weather.
“I want to get them adopted back to the USA where they will be sent back to the weather they were acquainted with before. My babies are 3 months old, they are AKC registered, current on all shots, health certified. Loves to be cuddled and loves to play. They are home trained.
“I am asking $950 for my two babies including the shipping fee to the state, and only one for $500 including shipping fee. You will promise me that you will be sending their pictures to me in every 2months as an update with regards to how they are doing with you. I love them so much, but they will be missed. Please treat them as though they were your babies. Their names are Adam and Eve.
“I am attaching their pictures for you to view them. I can’t wait to hear from your. God bless you. Trust in God.”
He even included several photos of the two puppies. Most show nothing but the pup, but one includes part of a man’s face.
When one looks online for information about Calabar, the story behind the advertisement loses all credibility.
The city of Calabar is an international sea port in southeastern Nigeria. Temperatures throughout the year range from the low 70s to the low 90s and rainfall reaches about 50 inches in midsummer. Although wet, the climate does not sound too “harsh” for boxers, whose athletic bodies are covered in a short, smooth coat.
International travel with puppies is not as easy as Roman and Margus insinuate.
According to the Nigeria customs Web site ( http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/NG-Nigeria-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm), dogs being imported into the country must have a health certificate and rabies certificate issued by a veterinarian at the point of origin. The health certificate may not be older than one week. Pets may enter as passenger's checked baggage or as cargo. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which overseas international pet travel in this country (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/index.htm), puppies 3 months of age and younger, like those Margus claims he brought from the United States, are too young to have a rabies vaccination.
Suppose someone in Nigeria did have 3-month old puppies to sell.
Getting them back into the United states would not be a simple process, even though the CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets entering into the United States. Health certificates may be required for entry into some states, or may be required by airlines for pets.
Pet dogs are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a dog appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required at the port of entry.
Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.
Dogs without proof of rabies vaccination may be admitted to the country if the importer completes a confinement agreement and confines the animal until it is considered adequately vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine is not considered effective until 30 days after it is administered.
Puppies that are too young to be vaccinated must be kept in confinement until they are old enough to be vaccinated, and then be confined for at least 30 days after the date of vaccination.
Who pays bills associated with the quarantine process should be part of the negotiations for the international purchase, but Margus never mentions that subject.
Even if Margus was on the up-and-up, buying a dog from overseas from a stranger is a bad idea. There are plenty of reputable dog breeders in this country who can be checked out much easier than dog sellers overseas. Better yet, go to your local shelter and rescue a puppy or dog. Shelters can also be on the lookout for a breed of your choice if you must have a purebred dog.
Roman and Margus are trying to pull a scam that seems to be growing in popularity. If you send them any money for a puppy, kiss the cash good-bye and don’t bother to buy any Puppy Chow. Better yet, if you see any advertisements about people overseas who need someone - anyone - to adopt their animals, do not reply.
The Daily Journal has made a commitment to keep readers abreast of scams that hit our area. If someone tries to make you the victim of a scam, call us at 431-2010 and tell us what happened. We will include your story in our scam alert series to prepare others who may find themselves in the same situation. The Daily Journal will run Scam Alert stories in the paper every Monday.
Consider the case of “Melissa Roman,” who wanted to put an advertisement in the Daily Journal to sell boxer puppies. She submitted an ad online and provided a Park Hills address and phone number.
Unfortunately for the scammer, there is no Melissa Roman listed in the phone book, online or in city or county records living at that address. In fact, the address is a commercial building, not a residence, according to Park Hills utility records.
Dial the phone number and you get a message that the number is disconnected or no longer working. An online search shows it as a land line in Flat River that is unpublished.
Even before checking the customer information, it was obvious that the ad was a scam attempt. The newspaper gets similar ad requests on a regular basis.
Laura, the Daily Journal staff member who is responsible for weeding out scam ad submissions, decided to respond to Roman and see what happened. Using her private e-mail so as not to tip off the scammer, she crafted one simple line to entice the scammer into replying: “do you have puppies for sale? I’m interested...”
The next day, Roman replied.
“The puppy advertised has been bought by one Mrs Bessie Dredge and the pup is doing quite well with her and her family according to her recent update me about the pup welfare at her home,” the e-mail read. “I want to refer you to one Rev Nathaniel Margus He bought two puppies from me as well and he work with St Mary’s Catholic Church. He has been tranfered to Calabar in continuations to his missionary work.
“He went there with the two puppies he bought from me. Unfortunately, Calabar is not the place for these type of dogs. He contacted me to find a caring parent that will adopt the dogs back to the USA. He had no time for them, also the Calabar weather is so harsh for them according to him and this is really troubling him and his mission in Calabar.
“Contact Rev Nathaniel Margus and tell him I refered you to him. He will be excited if he knows you are from me.”
She provided an e-mail for Margus and ended, “Get me informed as soon as you adopt the pups from him. Best Regards”
So, Laura repeated her request, this time to Margus. He responded almost immediately.
“I sent the breeder to find a caring parent for my babies. I use to live in the USA before I got a divine call to serve God and humainty here in Calabar and this gave me little or not time for my babies. The weather here is also not lenient with my babies. They hardly come outside with me because of the weather.
“I want to get them adopted back to the USA where they will be sent back to the weather they were acquainted with before. My babies are 3 months old, they are AKC registered, current on all shots, health certified. Loves to be cuddled and loves to play. They are home trained.
“I am asking $950 for my two babies including the shipping fee to the state, and only one for $500 including shipping fee. You will promise me that you will be sending their pictures to me in every 2months as an update with regards to how they are doing with you. I love them so much, but they will be missed. Please treat them as though they were your babies. Their names are Adam and Eve.
“I am attaching their pictures for you to view them. I can’t wait to hear from your. God bless you. Trust in God.”
He even included several photos of the two puppies. Most show nothing but the pup, but one includes part of a man’s face.
When one looks online for information about Calabar, the story behind the advertisement loses all credibility.
The city of Calabar is an international sea port in southeastern Nigeria. Temperatures throughout the year range from the low 70s to the low 90s and rainfall reaches about 50 inches in midsummer. Although wet, the climate does not sound too “harsh” for boxers, whose athletic bodies are covered in a short, smooth coat.
International travel with puppies is not as easy as Roman and Margus insinuate.
According to the Nigeria customs Web site ( http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/NG-Nigeria-customs-currency-airport-tax-regulations-details.htm), dogs being imported into the country must have a health certificate and rabies certificate issued by a veterinarian at the point of origin. The health certificate may not be older than one week. Pets may enter as passenger's checked baggage or as cargo. However, according to the Centers for Disease Control, which overseas international pet travel in this country (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/index.htm), puppies 3 months of age and younger, like those Margus claims he brought from the United States, are too young to have a rabies vaccination.
Suppose someone in Nigeria did have 3-month old puppies to sell.
Getting them back into the United states would not be a simple process, even though the CDC does not require general certificates of health for pets entering into the United States. Health certificates may be required for entry into some states, or may be required by airlines for pets.
Pet dogs are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of an infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. If a dog appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense might be required at the port of entry.
Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry into the United States. These requirements apply equally to service animals such as Seeing Eye dogs.
Dogs without proof of rabies vaccination may be admitted to the country if the importer completes a confinement agreement and confines the animal until it is considered adequately vaccinated against rabies. The vaccine is not considered effective until 30 days after it is administered.
Puppies that are too young to be vaccinated must be kept in confinement until they are old enough to be vaccinated, and then be confined for at least 30 days after the date of vaccination.
Who pays bills associated with the quarantine process should be part of the negotiations for the international purchase, but Margus never mentions that subject.
Even if Margus was on the up-and-up, buying a dog from overseas from a stranger is a bad idea. There are plenty of reputable dog breeders in this country who can be checked out much easier than dog sellers overseas. Better yet, go to your local shelter and rescue a puppy or dog. Shelters can also be on the lookout for a breed of your choice if you must have a purebred dog.
Roman and Margus are trying to pull a scam that seems to be growing in popularity. If you send them any money for a puppy, kiss the cash good-bye and don’t bother to buy any Puppy Chow. Better yet, if you see any advertisements about people overseas who need someone - anyone - to adopt their animals, do not reply.
The Daily Journal has made a commitment to keep readers abreast of scams that hit our area. If someone tries to make you the victim of a scam, call us at 431-2010 and tell us what happened. We will include your story in our scam alert series to prepare others who may find themselves in the same situation. The Daily Journal will run Scam Alert stories in the paper every Monday.
Digg This!
Story Paging
Next storyPrevious story
Ads by Yahoo!
Article Comments (2)The comments below are from readers and do not represent the views of the Daily Journal.
luckygirl posted at Monday, December 28th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
This is all common sense. You never send money like this for anything. This sort of thing is everywhere. People shouldn't buy things they can't go check out in person, animals included. I'm glad the DJ kept this scammer out, wish all papers and sites were as careful. It makes me wonder how many papers fell for it.
Member Center
E-mail updates
Puppies pull at your heart strings..greedy people try to pull on your purse strings !!