Cruel scammer targets owner of missing dog
A CRUEL scammer tried to force a distraught dog owner to hand over cash to reveal where her lost pet was.
Penny Bowers, from Llandaff North in Cardiff, was out walking cocker spaniel Lady on Saturday in Hailey Park when the 13-year-old dog went missing.
After searching all day and night and posting on social media, 59-year-old Penny suddenly received a text from an unknown number asking for £20 to tell her where her pet was.
Thinking it was suspicious, Penny didn’t pay them any cash – but now wants to warn others.
“It’s quite distressing,” she said. “The amount is quite small but it leads to you thinking someone has been doing horrible things to my dog.”
Lady the orange and white spaniel went missing at Hailey Park at around 7pm on Saturday and Penny was contacted by the mystery scammer within hours.
“At 11pm I received a text saying ‘I know where your dog is’ and of course your heart is like ‘oh my God.’
“You really think that this is it and you keep reading it. I did keep the texts but was suspicious. I didn’t pay.
“They gave me their bank details and said: ‘You can put the money in there and we’ll tell you.’”
The texts included messages such as “I’ll give you the address for 20”, “I am telling you 100% it’s the same dog” and “I’ll give you the address for 20, he lives near me”.
Penny reported the scam to police who are investigating but said she hoped others wouldn’t get caught off guard during an upsetting time.
“It is quite distressing for owners,” she said. “They’re thinking all sorts of things are happening to their dog.
“I thought it was someone local or someone who knows me. You then start to get a bit panicky. You’re already stressed and upset.
“It left a sour taste in my mouth. There are people out there who are preying on people.”
South Wales Police are now investiagting.
A spokeswoman said: “I can confirm this was reported to us on Monday afternoon.
“Officers have spoken to the woman and thankfully no money was handed over.
“Inquiries are continuing into the incident.
“If anyone does have information that might assist could they please call South Wales Police on 101 quoting occurrence number 199382.”
Penny said Lady was in desperate need of veterinary treatment and asked for anyone with information about the pet’s whereabouts to contact Cardiff Dogs Home on 029 2071 1243.