"... 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."

12/26/06: The Helen Rowe ad appeared in the Raleigh (NC) News and Observer a couple of weeks ago exactly as it appeared here except for one thing:
Neither the ad nor the email I received in response mentioned Nigeria specifically. If the TV show 60 Minutes hadn't done so many pieces on scams out of Nigeria, I don't think it would have occurred to me to check it out.
Information on this scam is not easy to get. We need to encourage search engines to show information about the scams in the first few results that appear when searching for "Puppies from Africa", "Bulldog puppies + Africa", "Helen Rowe", etc.

Another scam that is making the rounds again, at least I just got another email on it after not getting one for almost two years now, is the "You won a lottery you never entered!" scam. The first time I got one I went along for a while since I entered so many lotteries on-line back then and saved all the emails. That one started in Africa, not Nigeria, and went all over the world with emails. I had to confirm to London, and a couple of other places but there was always a problem. Finally I was told that I needed to pay the Netherlands Non-Resident Tax (which does not exist). That was when I collected all the emails and went to the FBI. Since I hadn't paid anything, they could do nothing. If I had paid, they could try to prosecute but probably wouldn't get anywhere. At least, that was what the Special Agent told me.

This time the email is starting from Italy. At least I presume it is Italy since the email has the .it ending.

There's a thread featuring the lottery scams going on in the forums here.

My husband fell for this scam and sent $450.00 by wire to Nigeria. The initial call was from Julie bulldogfarm.com. The man that supposedly had the bulldog pup was pastor Collin Desmond.

I replied to an add over a bulldog puppy and a pug puppy free to good home, when the woman replied she said that she was currently in Lagos, Nigeria and that it would cost £150 to ship the puppies to me but that her mother would pay £50 towards it and that i would only have to pay £100 i asked if i could pay by personal cheque or paypal and she said that i can only pay by western union as they cannot accept the payment methods i am willing to use as their payment methods are not as advanced as ours because they live in africa, do you think this is a scam please let me know as she would like me to send payment today and ship the puppies asap, thanks

Trisha, yeah it's a scam. Africa may not have as much internet access as Europe or the Americas but the finanicial infrastructure is developed enough so that personal checks would work and I'm pretty sure PayPal works there also. Think about it, throughout this thread similar stories have been posted, there are only a few (and very minor) differences between what is happening to you and what has happened to others. Save your hundred pounds.

Thanks christopher, after reading your response i sent an email to the person to say that if they were genuine then they would accept the payment methods i was offering, i am going to look for a reputable breeder

You are welcome Trisha, glad I saved you the money.

Trisha, I was almost out $900 (for 3 puppies) but this thread saved me, too! I was shocked to see the same wording and everything on the emails I had received as the ones shared here. I am VERY glad you didn't get your money scammed fom you. This thread has helped a LOT of people! So, thanks EVERYONE!!!
JoJo

I have been looking at a few adds and i noticed that scammers always call the puppies their babies and they always say puppies for adoption instead of puppies for sale

i forgot to say that the email addresses for the people involved in this scam are
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), pets travels gave an address which was 21 Airport Road, Lagos, Nigeria, 23401

Yep,
They usually refer to them as "babies" and say "adoption". The english is usually very bad. They also usually have some "Christian" association (volunteering for a church, or they are a pastor, etc.), and they usually make a big deal how it isn't about the money...that it is about finding their precious "babies" a good home, and sometimes offer to pay part of the shipping to prove it isn't about the money.
JoJo
P.S. We should somehow flood the internet searches with warnings for anything with those associations. (Babies, pastors, adoption, Africa, etc.)

I found this guy through an email I had sent to someone else looking to give away her bulldog puppy..it's like they refer each other to scams!
Hello ,

"Calvary greeting to you.Regarding to your mail, i quite apreciate your interest in adolpting my little baby.I have actually been looking for a caring parent to adopt my baby. I have prayed fervently about it and I believe the Lord has answered my prayers. I believe you are a God fearing person? She's a loving pet that love to play with kids, she's Akc registered, recently dewormed and had all their shot up to date.

The puppy is still very much available and she's here with me in west africa where i went on a veterinarian work transfer with the West African veterinarian commission. I want you to know that am not happy to give my lovely English Bulldog puppy out for adoption, but i have to do this because of the weather here is harsh, and in resent times, l have been going through 24-7 busy working conditions, and due to my great love for my puppy l am giving her out for adoption to a very nice and decent God fearing home with love for pets.

If you know that you are interested in adopting the puppy, send me your name, your delivery address, phone number including nearest Airport of where you want the puppy to be flown into and also i will be shipping her through Express Pets Delivery on next day delivery which i use in bringing him down here on next day delivery. Exactly i am giving the puppy to you for free.

And i want you to know that you will handle only the shiping fees to your desired destination.

She's 12 weeks old now and she will be 4-5lbs at full grown. I will like her to stay with a lovely family that will take good care of her for me.kindly make sure you take along your id card to the Airport when the puppy land at your nearest airport. I have attached you her current pictures. You can email me right away if there is any other thing you will like to know.

You can reach me on +234 808 253 4172

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

Pastor.Deangelo"

I am afraid I have been caught by the "Nigerian Bulldog Scam". A man by the name of Rev. Adewunmi sold me on a $500 bulldog named "Dolly". The man won me over by speaking from a "Christian Perspective" it's sad that he played on my faith to make me believe him, he even sent pictures. And the original ad was in my local newspaper! Anyway, I am out $500, that I also shouldn't have spent. But for future prospects PLEASE BEWARE, the screen name he used was .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Hello,
thanks for the response and inquiries about the
puppies.They are English bulldogs and are two females
and one male.The two females are Nira and mellie while
the male is cane.They are all 10 weeks old and weigh
an average of 16.7 lbs and have just taken thier
second
shots.They have Wonderful personalities; fun, playful
and loving. AKC registration. loved and socialized
with people and other pets. They have had the best
possible care in raising; Vet supervision, quality
food, all vaccinations current and regular
worming.They have fat beeffy heads,thick wrinkled
badies and are very active and always play around
especially with a macro-cheap tennis ball.This babies
will come along with,all health papers,some of their
-Are you from a Christain background?
-Have you ever had a dog before?
-Do you have children and/or other pets?
-Are they well socialized with dogs and other pets?
This is just to ensure that the puppies are in save
hands and don't feel bored at one time or the other.To
have these puppies,you are only required to pay for
their shipping cost. which is $250 each.
I am from Alington,VA and presently doing a 7 months
voluntary missionary service in the Republic of
Cameroon with the American Lutheran Missions.i
volunteered to serve in Cameroon and have been here
since three weeks ago.I will be shipping this puppies
from the Douala International Airport and will gladly
make the shipping arrangements with the help of the
pets' Director of the airport if you are able to
answer me the above questions and assure me that you
will be able to provide love and care to one or all of
the puppies.
I will be in the States in 7 months time and i will
like to come take a look at the puppies to see how far
you have gone in caring for the puppy.
The reason why i am giving out the babies is that i
absolutely have no time to offer in caring for them
right now because of the nature of my job. I have many
difficulties in sending this babies to a loving home
for a couple of days now because of the nature of
things going online but i will prefer you call if you
are willing (011)237 5938546. To have her airport pick
up,you will be required to send me your
-phone number,
-full contact address and
-the name of the nearest airport to your location
where you will pick up the puppy.
-I will also like to know what times work for you for
the pick up,as i would not like the puppy to arrive
the airport and stay for a while before you are able
to pick her up.Well i will end here while hoping to
read from you.Do have a nice time and accept God's
blessings .


THIS IS THE EMAIL ADDRESS SHE'S USING-
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
jenifer moore [jenifer_moore003@yahoo.com]


They have sent me the exact same e-mail from all those names.

HERE'S ANOTHER!


am really sorry for i am on a missionary job transfer to West Africa(Nigeria) by my church i am a member of the Christ Church Cathedral, Houston, Texas.So the reason why i want to give out this puppy is because i dont not have time to take good care of my puppy and i need to be dedicated to my missionary job here in West Africa(Nigeria) that is why i am giving her out . So i do want someone with love and open heart for pets to have one of my baby puppy who is very affectionate towards children and other pets ..

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,see attachment for resent pics .

Age :13weeks and 1 day old.

She 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 her food or water. she likes Nylabone and Gummabone toys but Never ever give her a rawhide toy.
And for grooming, Brush weekly and bathe as it needs also Keep her hair trimmed out of her ears and eyes.and her bedding material should range from straw or wood shavings,or beds of all types.

The most common is cotton rugs or blankets which can be washed with ease. Not much grooming is required, however a good combing.
should be trimmed professionally and always make sure her ears must be checked and loose hairs must be removed from ear passages.

The earlier you start her training and consistent, the better, you can wait a while so her settled comfortably into her new home before you begin.she need not lots of exercise. Long walks, jogging, playing catch, or agility or skil ls trials keep it happy.
l feed with Nutro's, Iam's, and Eukanuba.

These kibbles produces a nice coat, keeps the puppy round but not obese, and produces solid stools. But Do not feed her with a kibble which contains soyabeans.

lt's good if someone can always be on the look out for the puppy since it's still young and tender.puppy will be shipped along with a bath and a brand new crate, toys, carebooks, food sample, and dog kits.

So i will want you to get Full Name,Address,Contact Phone Number with your nearest airport for the delivery for the puppy and the payment method that is allowed now through western union money transfer and as soon as your payment is confirmed by my shipping agent the puppy will be shipped out to you urgently and i will like to inform you that's the best way of making the payment it is secured and faster.The puppy is asking for $450 including shipping. Thanks God Bless"""""""""" Happy New Year.

Pastor

Of Course & ANOTHER



must say that appreciate your concern over my babies. I also want you to promise me good home for the babies. I actually sent the breeder to find a caring parent for my babies here in west africa and I prayed over it and I am sure that this is a prayer answered.

My babies names are Chapman and Beauty. They are 2months old plus respectively,They are AKC registered, all to date on all shots, loves greater attention. I am asking for $800 for my two babies. I can arrange for their shipping to your home as soon as their payment is confirmed for their shipment.

Let me have your full mailing address and the nearest airport to your home for immediate shipping arrangement as soon as all terms are settled.

Find the attached to view their pictures.

Once again, I appreciate your genuine kindness over my babies. They are going to make a great babies and companies for you. I would also want you to send your telephone# so as to speak with you to be sure that I`m doing what is right for my babies.

I will miss them but will always remember you and them in my daily prayers.

God bless you
Rev. Austin
+234-802-394-2155

i have been spking to doug richards he told me that he wanted 250 for one dog and 450 for two. i was not sure of what i should do so i wanted to look up the WAVCN WEST AFRICAN VET COMMISSION IN NIGERIA. i also told him to gv me the contact number for the shipping company and the contact person and he gv me a 15 digit number. he told me his name is richard kelvin doug @ 947 jubril martins ave ikeja lagos state nigeria 23401. thank godness i looked this up or else i would have been a victim.

My fiance and I were scammed $870.00 from a "Pamela Hayes" out of Cameroon Africa. She said she was working there with the US peace corp and didn't have time to care for the dogs. We believed we were getting 2 English Bulldog Puppies and sent her money on two occasions! OUCH on us! We were heart broken about it and very upset. The money we sent her was from our wedding account and we promised ourselves we would pay it back after we got the puppies..well now $870 later were BROKE! I just want to get the word out to BE CAREFUL! and its illegal to transport animals internationally!

Yup, me to. I am reporting their info.
Pastor Paul Jackson wanted me to send his $300 to David so and so.
Idiot I must be, right? Thanks guys for reporting this otherwise I would have been out $300.