GodBringingYorkies Fails To Deliver Puppy In Online Pet Scam: Police

PALOS HILLS, IL — God didn’t bring a yorkie to one Palos Hills resident, who fell victim to an internet pet scam advertised on GodBringingYorkies and lost several hundred dollars, police said.

On July 10, a resident in the 7900 block of Tiffany Court told Palos Hills police they responded to an online ad on GodBringingYorkies to purchase a Yorkshire terrier puppy. They were instructed to send $550 in pre-paid gift cards to “Mr. West.”

When the resident asked about delivery, they were advised to send an additional $910 to cover the insurance. At this point, the resident asked for a refund when they realized they were being scammed. Mr. West refused to give the resident their money back, and has not responded to calls nor has he returned the resident’s money.

In 2022, according to the Better Business Bureau, consumers lost more than $2 million to pet scams. The agency estimates more than 80 percent of the sponsored links for pet sales on social media may be fake.

Puppy scammers frequently steal photos of Yorkshire terriers and other popular breeds and then falsely advertise these dogs on the internet, claiming to be breeders. Some scam artists will keep asking the buyer to send more money for vaccinations, check-ups, insurance, etc. The elderly are particularly targeted and will send their life savings for a puppy. In some cases, the buyers will receive a sick puppy – if at all.

When the scams are exposed on the internet, the con artists will change names and start new websites and social media accounts to keep on perpetuating their scheme. A similarly named yorkie website — GodFearingYorkies — appears to have been shut down.

Here are some tips to help protect yourself, warning signs to look for and what to avoid when you are searching for a yorkie puppy or purebreed from Yorkies United:

1. Ask for I.D. You have no idea if the person is who they are claiming to be. So many people have been ripped off in pet scams and were given a fake name. They had no bought a yorkie and were given a fake name, leaving them with no recourse to recoup their money.

2. If you are meeting the seller in a neutral location, write down the make and model of the vehicle and the plate number.

3. Before buying a puppy from someone, do a Google search of their name, then do another search or their business name, then their phone number. Doing these Google searches will return Yelp reviews, Facebook profiles, Rip Off Reports and many times, tons of shocking information. Right click on the puppy pictures and search them on Tineye and google. Surprising how many of those pictures are sourced from the internet. If the picture is protected so you cannot do the search, another red flag.

4. Get to know the breeder. Do they have a Facebook page or Instagram account? Are they updating it with new pictures? If not, it could be a scam.

5. Ask the breeder what vaccines have been given and at what age? Is the breeder asking you questions, or just pushing to get your money? A good breeder will want to assure her puppy is going to a good home and will interview the buyer, just as you should interview the breeder.

6. Speak to the breeder’s vet and ask for references from other buyers. Ask about any genetic issues with parents and general health of the puppies.

Read more tips on Yorkies United.

And, of course, local shelters are brimming with dogs looking for forever homes, so consider adopting.

If you still have your heart set on a Yorkshire terrier, here are the five best yorkie rescues in Illinois, courtesy of Five Barks:

Wish Bone Canine Rescue
Hopeful Tails Animal Rescue
Illinois Valley Animal Rescue
Wright Way Rescue
Half-Way Home Animal Rescue