THE National Fraud Intelligence Bureau and Action Fraud have issued a warning to animal lovers to be aware of “cute animal fraud”.

They have noticed a rise in the reporting of pets, and in particular puppies and kittens, being advertised for sale via popular online auction websites. The fraudsters will place an advert of the pet for sale, often claiming that the pet is currently held somewhere less accessible or overseas.

On agreement of a sale, the suspect will usually request an advance payment by money transfer or bank transfer. However, the pet does not materialise and the fraudster will subsequently ask for further advanced payments for courier charges, shipping fees and additional transportation costs. Even if further payments are made, the pet will still not materialise as it is unlikely to exist.

In a bid to try and protect buyers when buying pets online, the agencies have suggested staying within auction guidelines, being cautious if the seller initially requests payment via one method but later claims that due to ‘issues with their account’ they will need to take the payment via an alternative method such as a bank transfer, consider conducting research on other information provided by the seller, for example a mobile phone number or e-mail address used by the seller could alert you to any negative information associated with the number/email address online, request details of the courier company being used and consider researching it, and agree a suitable time to meet face to face to agree the purchase and to collect the pet.

An agency spokesman said: “A genuine seller should be keen to ensure that the pet is going to a caring and loving new home. If the seller does not express any interest in you and the pet’s new home, be wary. And if you think the purchase price is too good to be true then it probably is, especially if the pet is advertised as a pure-breed.”

And he added: “When thinking of buying a pet, consider buying them in person from rescue centres or from reputable breeders.”

• Visit Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police. uk or call 0300 123 2040.