A Boardman, Ohio, woman lost $500 after responding to a Facebook ad for an Italian Greyhound rescue, according to WFMJ.
Police said the woman saw an ad on Facebook from what appeared to be an Italian Greyhound rescue organization advertising a dog available for rescue.
After that contact, she sent money connected to the supposed rescue. The dog never came, and the woman reported losing $500 in what police described as a social media dog rescue scam.
The Scam Began With a Breed-Specific Ad
The Facebook ad used the appeal of a specific breed, an Italian Greyhound, and presented the dog as available through a rescue organization.
Police did not release the name of the Facebook page, identify the person who communicated with the woman, or say whether the same listing may have reached other potential victims.
The Woman Sent $500 Before the Dog Disappeared
The reported loss was $500. WFMJ did not report that the woman saw the dog in person, received verified adoption paperwork, or confirmed the rescue through an independent local organization before paying.
After the payment was made, the promised adoption did not happen. The case was then reported to Boardman police as a fraud complaint.
Pet Adoption Scams Use Emotion Before Verification
The Federal Trade Commission warns that pet scammers often post fake animal listings online and disappear after a buyer or adopter sends money.
The agency advises people to search the seller’s or rescue’s name with words such as “complaint,” “review,” or “scam” before paying. The FTC also recommends doing a reverse image search of the animal’s photo to see whether the same picture appears under another name or listing.
The American Kennel Club gives similar guidance, warning that scammers may post fake litters or impersonate real breeders to collect money from people looking for dogs online.
Verify the Rescue Before Paying an Adoption Fee
Anyone responding to a rescue or adoption post should verify the organization through an official website, speak with the rescue directly, and avoid sending money before seeing the animal or confirming the adoption process.
For a breed-specific rescue, adopters can check whether the rescue has a real address, adoption application, foster network, nonprofit records, veterinary references, and a history outside one social media page.
People who believe they paid a fake pet rescue should contact the payment provider immediately, save the Facebook ad, messages, profile link, payment receipt, phone number, email address, and any photos used in the listing, then report the scam to the platform, local police, and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.