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The Museum of Hoaxes is dedicated to promoting knowledge about hoaxes. (Click here for opening hours, etc.) On our blog we post about dubious- sounding claims, and whatever else strikes our fancy. The site is also home to the Hoaxipedia (the museum's online encyclopedia of hoaxes), the Hoax Forum, and the Top 100 April Fools' Day Hoaxes.

The museum was created in 1997 by Alex Boese. He's assisted by a staff of deputy curators and docents. Alex is the author of three books, most recently Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments (which has nothing to do with hoaxes). Check out the list of the Top 20 Most Bizarre Experiments of All Time for a preview.

Web Hoax Museum

"... You're lucky to have mailed at this time because the puppy has just been placed on adoption by one of my customers, who went on a veterinarian work transfer with the West African veterinarian commission Lagos Nigeria, West Africa. He is giving the pup up for adoption because he cant take good care of the pup due to his busy and tight state of work. All he wants is someone that's homely and with a good christian home to adopt this young and lovely human best friend."

Becareful of anyone who wants to send you a dog overseas and it is at a cheap price. I researched a lot before I purchased my dog. I soon realized that you can not trust anyone. If you really want a pup or dog as your companion, make sure you get it from someone you know you can trust. I went and met the woman who breeds the type I ended up getting. I met the mother and father of the pups and saw where they lived. If the breeder you are dealing with breeds more then a couple litters of pups a season then you are not dealing with a true caring breeder. If you are looking to adopt a dog or a puppy please check out the link below. They are great people and care about where their pups go.

http://www.mustardsandwich.net/index2.html

I was almost "scammed"by one of these people. Let me tell you how good the LORD is... Something told me to google "bulldogs in nigeria" and this is when I came upon your website. My contact person was Jeremy Millsapp who put me in touch with one of his customers who had been shipped to Nigeria on "mission work". His name was Rev Daniel Jones, in his e-mails his english was awful. Do people not fear the LORD anymore?? How common is it to use the LORDS name in a SCAM???

The 'Nigerian scams' (or '419 scams') very often mention religion to try to sound more reputable.

JJ,
Yeah, that is what we have been discussing alot, that they always are "Christians" doing "missionary" work. It upsets me, too. I had the same experience (on page 1.) The Lord guided me as well. Of all things, I did a google on "Nutri-calthay" (Because they said they would send that with the puppy, and I wanted to know what it was.), and this site came up. Mine was for Chihuahuas, but other than that, the emails were pretty much identical to the ones listed here - and the English terrible! They will be held accountable for what they are doing. Even worse! I saw a special the other day, where a lady was doing the SAME thing with ADOPTION! She was emailing several different ladies, and getting money from them to help with her expenses. They were all excited for a brand new little baby...decorating rooms, buying clothes, etc. And, the lady wasn't even PREGNANT! All the women (and many of thier husbands) were VERY emotional talking about it, as you can imagine. I am in the same situation, not able to have children, and I would've been SO HURT! God knows all, and he will hold those who are knowingly sinning accountable for their actions. I am glad you were guided, and didn't waste your money!
Sincerely,
JoJo

Hello, I too, responded to an ad and this is the response that I got from the person:

I am currently in Africa on a work transfer with the West Africa veterinarian commission Nigeria ,West Africa and i took the puppy along with me because there is nobody to take care of him back home.

The puppy is with a Current vaccinations, vet exam,health certificate from a licensed vet and a written guarantee of health( 1yr). resently checked by a licensed Vet Doctor for heart, knees, skin, correct bite, and eyes.All these you will see in his pictures which are current ok.

Registration-AKC Registered (Certificate Available for view)
Health-100% ok de-wormed (+1 year health Guarantee)
Shot: 1st shots, and vaccinated.
Breed-English Bulldog
weight: 15-16lbs
Age-11weeks
Coat: Short and smooth
Colors: Brown/White
Life Expectancy: 8 - 10 years.
Raised in a loving home not a Kennel,Housebroken and potty trained.
He should eat out of a pan which has a flat bottom and straight sides. use stainless steel because it lasts longer. Do not use plastic either for his food or water. he likes Nylabone and Gummabone toys but Never ever give him a rawhide toy.
And for grooming, Brush weekly and bathe as it needs also Keep his hair trimmed out of his ears and eyes.and his bedding material should range from straw or wood shavings,or beds of all types.



Payment method is through (Western Union Money Transfer)

I will ship puppy using Delta Shipping Company.
The cost for the puppy adoption is $500 shipping included. This covers the flight cost, and roomy airline approved kennel. I will make all the arrangements, and let you know the details after the flight is booked. The puppy make it to its destination airport within 24 hours. All we need to know is which major airport you would like the puppy flown into.,The puppy will arrived safely to It new families. I would not consider air shipping if we did not feel it was very safe for the puppy.
If you are interested in taking him, Mail me your full name, address and the nearest airport where the puppy will be ship for delivery so i can forward it to my shipping company for them to confirm delivery which i know wint be a problem at all.
Thanks and God bless you,

Helen.

JUST IN CASE THIS IS NEEDED - THE EMAIL ADDRESS THAT GAVE ME THIS REPONSE WAS "rowemisses@yahoo.com" AND IT IS A SCAM!!!

We have a male bulldog already and went through a great Canadian Breeder so this was a red flag for me as I have done a tonnne of research on breeders!

Heather

Wow! What I noticed is they are really starting to improve their ENGLISH skills...Look Out!
JoJo

the exact same thing happened to me... I just found this page... I was on my way tomorrow to western union the money.

is the email he used with me.

I also almost fell for this shit. This is what happened... I was looking to buy a bulldog, came across an ad, emailed the girl known as Kelly Bright ( )- she QUICKLY emailed me back with this email:

Hello,

Thanks for your interest in my Lovely baby,My pet babies have been all adopted by one "Rev. Morris" from queens,NewYork hopefully i will behaving a new litter by January next year,but i can refer you to one of my customer that just got posted to west africa by his CHURCH here in united state"Rev. Morris" he asked me to put the adorable bulldog baby he got from me before he was posted for adoption.The english bulldog is now 3 months old and is akc registered,you will be responsible for the puppy shipping fee to you only. Send him an email immediately to him concerning adopting the puppy,tell him the breeder he asked to put the baby bulldog out for adoption refered you to him,already the lovely baby is already with him.Send to "Rev. Morris" and his email address "morrislarson@saintly.com" i think this could be the best way to get him direct. Remember to contact me as soon as you get the puppy.

Regards




So....I emailed "Rev. Morris" asking about his puppy. He replied saying:

Hello John,

The puppy is still very much available and she is here with me in africa,because i was posted to west africa countries by the united state christain organisation for (Worldwide Missionary Outreach) to preach for the world. I want you to know that am not happy to give my lovely english bulldog puppy, but i have to do these because of the weather here is harsh,am not only selling her but giving it out for someone that will take good care of the puppy for me.

If you know that you are interested in adopting the puppy, send me your name,your delivery address,phone number including nearest airport and morealso i will shipping her through Express Pets Delivery on next day delivery which i use in bringing her down here on next day delivery. Exactly why i am giving the puppy to you for free,you will be responsible for her shippment to you,which is 400usd shipping and other travelling document to avoid any delay at then airport.


Below is the web site of the mission church i am at present. (http://www.themaninthesynagogue.org / http://www.uscj.org / http://www.synagoguevisits.co.uk ). You can email me right away if there is any other thing you will like.

You can reach me on +2348064353701 or 0092348064353701.

May God bless you..................


Rev. Morris


It definitly looks suspicious- he didn't mention the picture, just getting the money and WESTERN UNION. What a little shit! Using some crazy Church based thing to get you to try and believe them. Blah! Well I sent him an email back with this webpage's link and basically called him a bunch of names and stuff. I also emailed Ms. Kelly Bright and called her a dumb bitch and that karma is a bitch. Oh well. Don't be fooled, guys.

What is up with them using the descriptive word "lovely" for all the dogs? "lovely" and "babies", are used in most ALL of the emails they send. I'm sorry, but I think calling a bulldog "Lovely"...isn't that like an INSULT or something?
JoJo

This scam is still up and going. We saw an add in the Brantford Expositer(Ontario, Canada) saying the same thing. 2 Bulldog puppies for sale, we replied and the puppies were gone, but customer moved to Africa and wants to sell to good christian home. Contact was "Pastor Frank Johnson" from Lagos, Nigeria. We are still having fun with him by making him believe we actually trust him. Anybody wanting to have some fun and flood his yahoo address, it is

Have fun!

Safety Notice

Before you jump on the 'screw with the scammers' bandwagon, you should be aware that such activity is potentially very dangerous. These people take their money very seriously, and you face possible reprisals from people engaged in such activities.

Check out http://WWW.419eater.com for information an baiting the scammers, and how to protect yourself.

I agree. Make sure you are educated about "scam baiting". I have been to that site (http://www.419eater.com)and it is VERY educational.
(It is also interesting to note the LOCATION that warning came from - I thought that people from THERE would be more on the scammers' side - Hee, hee )
JoJo

SO i got scammed, 700$ from that hellen rowe person, im an idiot, im on the phone with western union froud number, ugh.
i cant belive this, and i dont know what to do, if anyone can tell me anything PLEASE email me.

my friend seen the ad in the ardmore oklahoma paper and she was really excited until she seen and heard about the whole scam... she was telling me about the via charge, i dont understand about that because he is charging her $235.00 just to ship it to her. the bulldog pictures that he sent her are the EXACT same as on the internet... this is bullsh*t on how this guy just is using you for your money... now i dont know if it is true, but i would really like to know... contact her at


sincerely
concerned friend

Gary, I am SO sorry about your $700. I am glad you called Western Union Fraud. Were they able to help you. I just don't understand, with all our modern technology and stuff, why we can't find and STOP these people! (Maybe,the modern technology is WHY we can't stop them!) I would think that with how long this has been going, there would be SOME agency, that could stop it, but I don't know much about it. Again, I am sorry!
JoJo

Thank God I googled this thing - "Pastor Williams", the SAME GUY, is waiting for my response to buy TWO GOLDEN RETRIEVER PUPPIES - word for word. I came to this person through the AKC website - Burbank Kennel Club - JULIET SCOTT . Are police involved in this scam??

Wow! You might want to let the AKC Site know that scammers are using their site!...
JoJo:)

Just found this, and thought I would pass it along. They are also scamming people for money for orphanages that don't exist. I quoted one of Rev. William Thompson's last paragraphs. I found it comical that he encourages you to email the FBI to make sure it's not a scam...then HE gives the email address - I am SURE that is their email...Yeah, right!!!


Using orphanages for fraud
By LEKAN OLABULO

Many Nigerians are now using this method to defraud their victims abroad. With some tone of religiosity and appeal to pity, they use the plight of orphans and motherless babies to demand for money abroad.


Last week, we reported how a fraudster used the name of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to appeal for money from people abroad. Knowing fully well that the association is well respected all over the world, he went ahead to claim that the association had set up an orphanage and that many of the kids at the home were dying daily.


This week, we also stumbled on a letter sent by a Nigerian “pastor” who claimed that he had set up an orphanage and he needed the help of the people abroad to fund the orphanage.


The man, who claims to be Pastor Williams Thompson, in charge of Rochase Foundation/Orphanage home, started his fraudulent letter with greetings “in the name of Jesus Christ”. He went on to state the mission of the foundation and the fact that they needed the money to pay their workers. He even added a funny dimension by saying the orphanage is registered by the FBI of Nigeria! Many of these fraudsters, believing that their victims abroad have soft spot for men of God, are now using the various names of men of God to engage in fraud and many of them have succeeded in swindling foreign citizens and even organisations through this act.

"To confirm that we are not scammers, I will advise you send this mail to the Nigeria FBI . to confirm because this commitee has been liecensed by them. Their mail address is We will be waiting to hear from you soonnest.
Yours faithfully,
Pastor Williams Thompson"

WOW!! I just got sent a email from Africa for a bully dog....I can't believe shes ripping people off!!! she made an ad for 2 dogs and then says there gone but you can get a pup from wheverever!!
This breaks my heart that people do this!!

Lokk out for a and a Reverend Daniel Pepple in Africa they just got $300 from my friend for a bulldog female named Dolly