How can I tell If this is a scam or Not?

[tryingfornumber7]

I breed Maine Coon kittens and am new to breeding. I have shipped kittens before but I received a request for a kitten, before it's even born yet, from this person who claims he is a lt in the military. He contacted me last week and I know that most scammers say they'll send you a check and you refund the difference or they'll have their personal shipper come pick up the kitten and not to worry about s/h. This guy tried the personal shipper part and I told him no. He said fine and then asked if I would cut $50 off the price of the kitten. I told him no. He said fine. Tells me he's a born again christian and wouldn't scam anyone when I tried to tell him this felt like a scam. Then tells me he will be sending me a cashiers check from a bank and his secretary will be sending it by courier. I said what "courier" and what bank. I don't use banks. I told him I would be taking the check directly to his bank to cash. he says of course. Turns out bank is capital one na which we do have where I am. He then sends out the package and provides me with a tracking number via ups. All looks good. Then contacts me yesterday(sun) to say package had an issue and he will be working on it and have it delivered immediately. I ask him for proof of this issue since ups shows it's at my destination and looks ok. He keeps giving me the runaround. Then I ask him for his address and he gives me one in tx. I ask him why the package shipped from TN and not tx. Never get any response. Then he tells me he's been out on a ship with his family and that he is just now seeing these messages and he's trying to work with me, that the kitten is for his son and he wouldn't give me the runaround. BS! This still screams scam but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. I know you can get a falsified cashier's check but how do I verify this is legit when the check arrives. Scheduled to be here with ups today or tomorrow. I don't want anything to fall back on me with this if he stole someone cashier's check or did something illegal. Thanks.

 

[Judique]

I breed Maine Coon kittens and am new to breeding. I have shipped kittens before but I received a request for a kitten, before it's even born yet, from this person who claims he is a lt in the military. He contacted me last week and I know that most scammers say they'll send you a check and you refund the difference or they'll have their personal shipper come pick up the kitten and not to worry about s/h. This guy tried the personal shipper part and I told him no. He said fine and then asked if I would cut $50 off the price of the kitten. I told him no. He said fine. Tells me he's a born again christian and wouldn't scam anyone when I tried to tell him this felt like a scam. Then tells me he will be sending me a cashiers check from a bank and his secretary will be sending it by courier. I said what "courier" and what bank. I don't use banks. I told him I would be taking the check directly to his bank to cash. he says of course. Turns out bank is capital one na which we do have where I am. He then sends out the package and provides me with a tracking number via ups. All looks good. Then contacts me yesterday(sun) to say package had an issue and he will be working on it and have it delivered immediately. I ask him for proof of this issue since ups shows it's at my destination and looks ok. He keeps giving me the runaround. Then I ask him for his address and he gives me one in tx. I ask him why the package shipped from TN and not tx. Never get any response. Then he tells me he's been out on a ship with his family and that he is just now seeing these messages and he's trying to work with me, that the kitten is for his son and he wouldn't give me the runaround. BS! This still screams scam but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. I know you can get a falsified cashier's check but how do I verify this is legit when the check arrives. Scheduled to be here with ups today or tomorrow. I don't want anything to fall back on me with this if he stole someone cashier's check or did something illegal. Thanks.

Ask him for his duty station and the name of his commanding officer. You'll never hear from him again.

It's a scam in my book. But how about a picture of your Maine Coon - I just love those!

 

[bdcp]

First, a Lt would not have a secretary. Second, even if he was part of an office that had one, in no way would that US Gov employee be allowed to do personal things for him. It's against the law. SCAM!

I wouldn't let this continue. Too many red flags.

 

[Richard M Nixon]

If you've got a local branch from the issuing bank, it'll be much easier. They should be able to trace the check and tell you if it's legitimate or not. Cashier's checks remove funds from the issuing account when they're written (as opposed to when cashed like normal checks) so if it is legit, you should be safe. I don't know how things would work when cashing the check and walking out with the cash in hand, which I imagine would be something the bank wouldn't allow if you lacked an account or gave them no other recourse if it was forged. Normally if you were unsure, you'd deposit the check and wait for it to clear, which the bank is required to have done in a certain period (I think it's 3 days). Once that happens, you are legally in the clear and the money is yours, guaranteed.

The bigger question is how do you ship a cat through the mail? I can't imagine a live animal easily surviving the trip, much less not being traumatized by it.

 

[Luvchefmic]

First, a Lt would not have a secretary. Second, even if he was part of an office that had one, in no way would that US Gov employee be allowed to do personal things for him. It's against the law. SCAM!

I wouldn't let this continue. Too many red flags.

You are 100 % correct. OP stop it while you can.

 

[Muushka]

Yeah. Shipping a kitten. Sounds like a great plan. Care to elaborate?

 

[NinaBella]

I say it's a scam. (and I am military)

Curious: What type of Kitten is this that he can not find one locally and he needs it for a child?

A "LT" in the Navy is an O3. an "LT" in all other services is an O1 or O2. Basically bottom three of officer corps. They are usually the "secretaries" for commanding officers. LoL.

 

[buzz2400]

sounds like a big scam. Scammers are getting better and better at ripping you off. Also just because he states he is in the military doesn't make him a good guy. I got scammed by a military family on the dis boards. She wanted a doll you could only get at bjs so I told her that she could send the check to me. Well I shipped the doll before getting the check and after that, didn't hear from her for a while. Then she finally responded and said they never received the doll (thank god I insured it). Don't get me wrong, I am very thankful for the service of all military personnel but just like everything, there is always a bag apple.

Anyway, walk away from this. Sounds like you will be very sorry if you continue dealing with this person.

 

[tryingfornumber7]

Thank you. I appreciate your fb. My gut was telling me it's a scam but just wanted confirmation. As far as shipping a kitten, they are shipped through delta airlines or some other airline. But my other question is, since this jerk obviously KNOWS the kitten isn't even born yet and that I will have to make sure the transaction is legitimate beforehand, which he said he understands, then what's in it for him? He gets nothing if it's fraudulent. And is there a way I can have him persecuted for trying to pass of a fraudulent cashiers check? Thanks.

 

[Jeff_G]

Thank you. I appreciate your fb. My gut was telling me it's a scam but just wanted confirmation. As far as shipping a kitten, they are shipped through delta airlines or some other airline. But my other question is, since this jerk obviously KNOWS the kitten isn't even born yet and that I will have to make sure the transaction is legitimate beforehand, which he said he understands, then what's in it for him? He gets nothing if it's fraudulent. And is there a way I can have him persecuted for trying to pass of a fraudulent cashiers check? Thanks.

A cashiers check can take two weeks or more to clean the originating bank, I'm guess this is a 411 scam and you are going to receive some sort of check for a value above what the kitten is selling for.

Have you spoken to this person on a phone? I would also bet this person resides outside of the US.

 

[tryingfornumber7]

no I haven't spoken with him actually. His area code he texts from and the number he also gave me for shipping is 832. I will be calling him though once I confirm this is a scam and seeing whom I'm talking with. But he did tell me he would send a check for $800 which is what I asked for the kitten. I would never send any money back but I am certainly not about to get caught with paying back a bank if it's fraudulent. Also, if he shipped from TN who shipped it if you believe he lives outside of the us? Thanks.

 

[sibesx2]

At the risk of being slammed I have to say that you seem more worried about the money then the kitten. Have you checked out this person to see if he would even be a good home for the kitten? If it were me, he would have to prove he would be a good, loving home before the money came into play.

I've been involved in rescue for over 10 years. The fact that anyone pays $800 for an animal does not mean they will take care of it. We get purebred dogs and cats that have been abandoned (and many abused also) all of the time.

 

[Pumbaa_]

walk away, why are you even entertaining the notion of dealing with someone who is sending red flags everywhere?

 

[Allison]

Of course this is a scam. That's pretty obvious. So, quit dealing with it and walk away. Don't text, email, call. Walk away.

 

[MichelleVW]

At the risk of being slammed I have to say that you seem more worried about the money then the kitten. Have you checked out this person to see if he would even be a good home for the kitten? If it were me, he would have to prove he would be a good, loving home before the money came into play.

I've been involved in rescue for over 10 years. The fact that anyone pays $800 for an animal does not mean they will take care of it. We get purebred dogs and cats that have been abandoned (and many abused also) all of the time.

Right!!! I'm sitting here in my house of 4 rescue dogs and 5 rescue cats.....I would never, could never...send a baby off sight unseen to a stranger who sent me money. Money doesn't equal love or care. I also would never buy an animal from a breeder that would ship an animal somewhere sight unseen....that would scream puppy mill to me.

 

[MaleficentRN]

I breed Maine Coon kittens and am new to breeding. I have shipped kittens before but I received a request for a kitten, before it's even born yet, from this person who claims he is a lt in the military. He contacted me last week and I know that most scammers say they'll send you a check and you refund the difference or they'll have their personal shipper come pick up the kitten and not to worry about s/h. This guy tried the personal shipper part and I told him no. He said fine and then asked if I would cut $50 off the price of the kitten. I told him no. He said fine. Tells me he's a born again christian and wouldn't scam anyone when I tried to tell him this felt like a scam. Then tells me he will be sending me a cashiers check from a bank and his secretary will be sending it by courier. I said what "courier" and what bank. I don't use banks. I told him I would be taking the check directly to his bank to cash. he says of course. Turns out bank is capital one na which we do have where I am. He then sends out the package and provides me with a tracking number via ups. All looks good. Then contacts me yesterday(sun) to say package had an issue and he will be working on it and have it delivered immediately. I ask him for proof of this issue since ups shows it's at my destination and looks ok. He keeps giving me the runaround. Then I ask him for his address and he gives me one in tx. I ask him why the package shipped from TN and not tx. Never get any response. Then he tells me he's been out on a ship with his family and that he is just now seeing these messages and he's trying to work with me, that the kitten is for his son and he wouldn't give me the runaround. BS! This still screams scam but I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. I know you can get a falsified cashier's check but how do I verify this is legit when the check arrives. Scheduled to be here with ups today or tomorrow. I don't want anything to fall back on me with this if he stole someone cashier's check or did something illegal. Thanks.

There isn't one thing here that doesn't scream scam. End all communication with this person.

 

[tryingfornumber7]

Just wanted to give everyone an update. Yes it was a scam. The cashier's check arrived yesterday for $2300 and I called the bank of course to check and it was a fake, which i knew. I then called the police and this person got very angry and belligerent, telling me I had 1hr and 15 mins to give him his money or else he's going to kill me and my family. He made threats against my life many times until it was downright scary. Cop said he sees this all the time and I emailed him all the text messages and he told me to stop all communication, which i did. The jerk even had the NERVE to actually call me while the cop was there. I didn't answer. He didn't leave a message. Bottom line is I've learned never again to even answer those and go with my gut. I was just really scared and irked that this guy had the nerve to threaten me. He had an excuse for everything but then started misspelling a bunch of words and didn't even know what the word "fraud" meant. Whatever! Glad to be done. Cops are handling it now and can hopefully trace him. The cop said they had good leads with the check, return address and all the info this guy gave.

 

[robinb]

At the risk of being slammed I have to say that you seem more worried about the money then the kitten. Have you checked out this person to see if he would even be a good home for the kitten? If it were me, he would have to prove he would be a good, loving home before the money came into play.

I've been involved in rescue for over 10 years. The fact that anyone pays $800 for an animal does not mean they will take care of it. We get purebred dogs and cats that have been abandoned (and many abused also) all of the time.

Right!!! I'm sitting here in my house of 4 rescue dogs and 5 rescue cats.....I would never, could never...send a baby off sight unseen to a stranger who sent me money. Money doesn't equal love or care. I also would never buy an animal from a breeder that would ship an animal somewhere sight unseen....that would scream puppy mill to me.

We don't know that she didn't vet the buyer as an owner prior to the monetary negotiations and shipping a cat to a buyer does not make her evil. I had two Japanese Bobtail cats shipped to me from a breeder in Canada. She and I exchanged many emails and I also filled out a contract that included my veterinarian's information and a promise to spay/neuter.

That being said, these posters do have a point ... would you now trust your kitten with someone who you don't even trust to pay you properly? I think this deal sounds pretty fishy. OP, I would pass on this buyer.

ETA: I just read your update. YIKES! I'm glad that you got the police involved. What a nut.

 

[Luvchefmic]

Glad you got the police involved OP. Now if I were you I would seriously think about the way you are handling your new business as a breeder. I have my personal feelings about that, but that's only my opinion and you didn't ask for that.

I would really consider advertising and dealing with your future customers on a local level only. You put all your info out on the internet, as I presume you did otherwise how did he find you, and you're putting yourself in a pretty vulnerable position. Now he's got your address.

If you deal with only locals you can also check with the person's local vet to see if this person is even a suitable pet owner. You get to meet the new owner. You also won't be dealing with shipping and long distance money transactions etc. Just my opinion.

 

[manning]

I say it's a scam. (and I am military)

Curious: What type of Kitten is this that he can not find one locally and he needs it for a child?

A "LT" in the Navy is an O3. an "LT" in all other services is an O1 or O2. Basically bottom three of officer corps. They are usually the "secretaries" for commanding officers. LoL.

A LT in the navy is like a captain in the army. If LT junior grade that would be like first LT in the army.