Warning after fake police dog walking scam attempt

A professional Perth dog walker has told how bogus police tried to con her out of money by offering to let her walk the force’s canines.

Naomi Oswald, 29, runs dogwalking business Off The Leash and is a verified member of the Better Business Partnership (BBP) – a trusted trader scheme supported by Perth and Kinross Council.

She received a phone call from someone claiming to be a Police Scotland sergeant, not long after establishing her business’ website.

The con artist ‘copper’ offered to let her walk police pooches as part of a local advertising scheme, which would lead to magazine banners publicising her business appearing in an “official” police magazine.

“His offer sounded too good to be true, and I was initially very excited about it,” she said.

“I was delighted at first, at the prospect of being asked to walk the dogs. But my suspicions were raised once they started to ask me for a fee.”

Naomi was hounded for several days from multiple callers, all claiming to be police officers, demanding payment.

The criminals wanted £145 from Naomi for a small advert, which Naomi described as being of very poor quality.

She said: “I Googled what was being offered and found it was a scam, fortunately before I handed over any money.

“They also sent a mock-up of the advert, which looked terrible.

“It is horrible to think they are trying to con new businesses out of money.”

Naomi thought the callers sounded local and were very convincing to begin with.

A spokesperson for Trading Standards said: “We are warning dog walkers and all other businesses in Perth and Kinross to beware of these business directory scams.

“Often the company offering the advertising space is a legitimate company but they mislead businesses as to where and how many of their publications are distributed.”