Several Sheridan couples were taken in by the promise of a new pet and left holding the bag. Sheridan Media News Director Kurt Layher has more.
It started out with a simple e-mail but turned into an expensive nightmare for several Sheridan families. They responded to an e-mail address listed in the classified section of the Country Bounty in an ad for free puppies. United States Customs Officer Dale Leatham in Casper says those responding to the ad sent several payments to Nigeria via Western Union to get their “free” puppies.
By the time it’s all said and done most of those who responded had spent more than $2,000 a piece. The con-men portrayed clergy to help sell the implausible story to their targets.
Consumers should take care when responding to any advertisements that seem unusual. Most publications request information from the advertiser up front and that can be falsified. The ad placed in the Bounty was paid for with a valid credit card and a local address of 27 N. Main Street was given. Unfortunately, that address does not exist in Sheridan.
Many publications run disclaimers denying liability for any false claims contained in classified ads. It is a practical impossibility to verify every piece of information and consumers should do their homework before wiring any money. Tomorrow, we’ll tell you about other scams and what if anything can be done about the scammers.
