FRAUDSTERS ARE offering cute three-month-old tiger cubs for sale as part of an elabarate scam, we can reveal.
The cubs are part of a host of animals being used to entice personal details from people as part of a scam across Co Donegal.
Fluffy kittens and gorgeous puppies are also supposedly sale – in time for Christmas. The fraudsters demand up-front payments – and offer to deliver the animals to your home.
The fraudsters demand up-front payments – and offer to deliver the animals to your home.
But the pets never arrive, and the fraudsters pocket the cash, an investigation by donegaldaily.com has found.
A website featuring the animals has already issued warnings that tricksters are involved in the scam.
The tigers featured are supposedly for sale in Letterkenny – but are also apparently for sale in Donegal Town and Ballyshannon.
The advert states: “We have ready and putty trained bay tiger for sale. they are all in their 3months of age and have all papers and health records up to date. they are 2 male and 3 female. so if interested in getting any email us directly…”
After a tip-off, donegaldaily.com pretended to buy the tigers but we were told we had to send money by Western Union first.
The scam is being run by fraudsters in Nigeria, using Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland mobile phone numbers.
The same scam is also operating for a succession of cute thoroughbred puppies.
Labradors, alsations and a host of other animals are also being offered for sale.
We spoke to one seller using a UK mobile phone number.
The seller claimed to be living in Derry – and we offered to travel to see the animals and to pick one.
The fraudster insisted that we pass on personal details and that the animals could only be delivered by a delivery agency.
He asked us to send £150 by Western Union transfer.
Last night the website involved – muamat.com – said it warned buyers online how to avoid such scams.
It says in all of the fraud cases, the animals don’t exist.
“We always tell people to deal face to face when making such purchases,” said the spokesman.
“If someone wants to deliver animals or asks for money transfer beforehand it is almost always a scam.
“People should never give out personal details and never give out bank details to any seller.”
More detailed warnings about the cons are posted on the company’s website.
