I’ve been talking about a puppy scam email on twitter… but 140 characters just wasn’t enough.

We responded to an ad in the local online classifieds, someone saying they had English Bulldog puppies looking for a home. Here’s the response we got, with a bunch of *adorable* puppy pics attached.

Anyway if you read this, aside from the mangled English, there are other ‘tells’: cut and paste errors, referring to different numbers of dogs at different times, and the time pressure element (48 hours). Maybe I’m just a paranoid jerk and this is all legit, but I trust my instincts enough to not contact these people further.

It should be noted that shelters are asking $300-$550 as adoption fees for mixed breed dogs, so $120 for AKC bulldog puppies is way too good to believe in the first place.

I should also note that a bit of Googling reveals that classified ad puppy scams are a known problem.

Here’s the email, unedited:
==============================================

am very glad on your interest towards my lovely English bulldog puppies well these puppies are now available and ready to be a family companion or your best friend, they are called KELLY LOLO and NINA (Male pups) and CINDY LILI and SANDRA (Female pups), they are outstanding AKC male and female registered puppies from multi-championship bloodlines with an awesome pedigree.
They are all AKC registered and vet checked and they are full of natural beauty and will all make very good house companions.I am giving them out for adoption only to a good pet loving and caring home because i do not want them to suffer. They are medically well and they are very friendly with kids,adults and other house pets .
The reason i am giving them out is that i moved into a new apartment where pets are not allowed and I have been given a 48 hours notice to get rid of them ..It is really painful though and i need a new home that will provide KELLY LOLO NINA CINDY LILI and SANDRA a best of care they need and to provide them with their necessities that’s why I’ve been looking for a good pet loving and caring home for them that will provide them with all the love i want them to experience.I will like you to promise me that you will provide my little cute babies with all their needs and show them all the love they need..My babies are very sensitive and i will like to tell you a little about them:-
.
KELLY LOLO and NINA……. are absolutely adorable babies, who who are only 2.3 lbs at 11
weeks old. Estimated adult structure 7.8 lbs. baby doll face, with tiny ears. She is tiny for breeding or showing but absolutely gorgeous. She has been home raised with lots of TLC and pre-spoiled for her new home and is very friendly.there are excellent example of an extreme lovely babies.She is already willing to go to her new pets loving and caring home.
:-there are house/Potty Trained.
:-there eat 2 times daily and at afternoons she drinks Milk .
:-there are socialized with kids and other house hold pets .
:-there likes to be carried a lot and be spoiled.
:-there likes to be kissed ..
:-there are 12 Weeks old and weighs 3 lbs

CINDY LILI and SANDRA ……… there are absolutely adorable puppies, there are all female puppies and has
tiny ears, there are 7.8 lbs at 12 weeks.Estimated adult structure
9.9 lbs. baby doll face, with tiny ears,excellent silk coats and
already have personality plus and very playful!!He is cute for
breeding, but gorgeous and He has been home raised and is just so cute and is willing to go to a new home which is caring and loving.
:-He is house/potty trained
:-He eats 2 times a day and drinks milk at noon.
:-He is socialized.
:-He’s also a portable baby.
:-He feels shy when carried.
:-He also likes to be kissed.
:-He is 12 weeks old and weighs 3.5ib
I will like to have the information so that i can be clearly convinced that you will provide a good and lovely home for these babies.So Please i will like to know the following from you to see if my babies will be in good arms
1: Whats your full names and where are you located?
2: Are you Married?
3: Do you have kids.If yes, do they love puppies?
4: Do you have a yard that they can play in?
5: Are you a breeder?Or a Pet Lover?
6: How soon do you need them and will you care for them?
7: Which of them do you need?
Would it be possible for you send me monthly pictures so i can know how they are doing in their new home.Sorry for asking such questions but i am just trying to look a good and loving home for my babies.They are very dedicated to what we may ask them and they understand basic commands such as sit,stand etc.They enjoy retrieving toys, but mostly loves the attention of the family. With little training they will follow more commands since they are very willing to learn. Please if you know that you will take good care of the puppies i will be glad to read from you.All you just need to do is to take good care of them and they will be yours for ever and will make good house companions and will bring love to your family.You can contact me via email Each puppy will cost you $120 for it’s transfer of ownership documents from my names to your names so if you want both puppies, it shall cost you $240 for both.. Also that’s all you shall be spending to get the puppies. I have attached some photos so let me know what you think about them. Waiting to read from you soon and may GOD bless you.
Thanks and greetings from Mary family
=============================================