Scammers exploited the isolation of lockdowns during the COVID pandemic in 2020 when puppy scams took hold, preying on people who were desperate for companionship.
Despite a slight decrease in reports in 2021, puppy scams remained prevalent, with the average amount lost per scam reaching $1,222.13 in 2023 and 2024, according to a report from Outsource2India.
The financial impact of these scams varies significantly by state. Alaska, notably, reported the highest average loss per scam at $3,249.14 and had the highest rate of scams per capita, while in Illinois there was an average loss of $766.22. Wisconsin reported an average loss of $917.50.
Targeted Breeds and Online Platforms
Scammers reportedly like to use specific dog breeds for their scams, with Bulldogs being the most frequently targeted, mentioned 457 times in scam reports…