A scam operation posing as a dog breeding and adoption agency is cheating would-be dog owners of their hard-earned cash, a veterinary clinic and grooming salon close to the operation’s listed address warn.
Last week, a social media post by Abaigeal Ragogna, an employee at a dog grooming salon in the town of Naxxar, warned of a spate of people visiting the salon looking for the ‘Dog and Puppy Center Malta’, expecting to collect a dog for which they had already paid, only to realise they had been scammed.
These visits first began months ago, when an older man visited the grooming salon, saying Google Maps marked the pickup point for his dog up the road from the salon, Ragogna told Times of Malta.
“After that day we have had people every few weeks coming in and asking where the store is and if we can help them,” Ragogna said, adding that it has happened as many as 15 times in the six months since.
“Speaking to the victims, it was made clear they had already paid in full for the dog and had not met the seller or even seen the dog in person,” she said.
“The sad part is most of the people coming are with young children, holding new collars and leashes ready for their new dog friend.
“Most people get very sad and anxious,” once the situation dawns on them, Ragogna said, especially since they have to break the news to their children or family members.
“Other people just say ‘thank you’ and leave, but we can see they are still going up and down the street looking for the shop,” she added.
The most recent case was last Tuesday, prompting Ragogna to go public with a warning.
Google Maps marks the ‘Dog and Puppy Center Malta’ as being located in Naxxar’s Triq in-Nissieġ; however, a street view of the site shows a row of garages in place of the centre.
Mirko Porcaro, who manages the Zoomangi veterinary clinic in the same street, told Times of Malta that this is a surprisingly frequent occurrence.
People had been venturing into his clinic looking to collect a dog for “more than five years,” Porcaro said.
Victims led to believe they’re adopting a dog
“It was at its peak a year ago, when people were coming in at least once a week,” he said.
Porcaro said victims were typically led to believe that they were adopting a dog, but were asked to send a payment, usually amounting to hundreds of euros, to cover registration, processing and vaccination fees.
Most cases involve dog breeds that are either difficult to find or expensive, such as Maltese or poodles, Porcaro said.
However, other cases appear to involve people believing they are buying a dog from a breeder, with the centre advertising dogs on its website.
The website appears to have been taken offline on Tuesday, shortly after Ragogna’s Facebook post.
When contacted, police told Times of Malta that “no reports regarding the alleged online scam have been lodged with the police to date”.
“While an investigation is being initiated, we appeal to any persons who may have been defrauded to come forward and file a report with the police,” a spokesperson added.
