A Louisville woman is speaking out after she says she was scammed online while trying to buy a dog.
Madeline Drago said she started searching for the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for her mother back in February.
“I was looking for a little Yorkie Puppy,” said Drago.
Her mother was widowed back in October, so Drago was searching for a companion for her.
“They’ve been married 75 years, and she was very lonely and was wanting a little teacup Yorkie,” she said.
Drago says she eventually found one website and contacted the owner. She exchanged dozens of emails with them and had her heart set on a little dog named Abbie.
She sent a money gram of $578. She called him after she sent the money and he asked Drago for 900 more dollars for shipping.
Drago said that is when it hit her that this was a scam.
http://liarcatchers.com/fraud_investigation.html
The Better Business Bureau says that scams like this can really happen to anyone.
“Especially with these websites, they look so real these days, it’s easy to Google something and really be interested in it, and think it’s your lucky day,” said Drago.
The BBB says that anytime there’s a wire transfer or a money gram involved, the consumer should ask questions.
Drago’s mother has been happily paired with another puppy, but Madeline Drago said she has learned a bitter lesson.
“Be cautious and try to check out closer, if you can, before you send any money,” said Drago.
She has filed a police report.
