TULSA, Okla. — As Valentine’s Day approaches, many are looking for a cute, cuddly puppy to give their someone special, but buyers should beware of scammers online.
Scammers are preying on the heartstrings of consumers, promising them a furry companion only to leave them with heartache and empty wallets.
Two victims reached out to the Problem Solvers hoping their experiences will help keep others from becoming a victim too.
“It was truly heartbreaking,” Gary and Karol Faules said. “You know… my biggest heartbreak was that we didn’t have a new best friend for our little girl.”
The Faules family is talking about their sweet pup of four years.
“We wanted a playmate for her to spend time with and another family member, so we began looking around, and we have a friend with an English miniature bull terrier,” Gary said.
The couple searched the internet.
“Karol found a particular site online that looked pretty good and had some nice choices,” Gary said.
The couple resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico and said the breeder claimed to be in Tulsa. They said they called the breeder asking if they could come check out the dogs, but that came with a catch.
“He said I would need a 50 percent deposit,” Gary said.
The Faules paid $400 for the pup through the mobile banking app Zelle and drove 10 hours to Tulsa. Once they arrived, they tried contacting the alleged breeder, who they said either ignored their texts, or hung up the phone.
That’s when the couple realized something was…
