Puppy Scam

A KARE 11 investigation discovers a Minnesota connection to an international puppy scam ring linked to Cameroon in Africa. Victims think they are buying puppies online. Thieves pose as puppy breeders and create fake websites. Some claim to be in Eagle Lake. Victims are tricked into wiring cash as a down payment often using Walmart money transfers and Moneygram. Money mules pick up the payments, acting as middlemen to forward cash overseas. Police investigating the fraud say the scammers use fake IDs. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reports 80% of online links for puppies, dogs and other pets are fraudulent. Surveillance video from Rochester, Minnesota shows a money pick-up.