Consumer complaint received 2022-10-23
Product: Money transfer, virtual currency, or money service — Refund anticipation check
Issue: Confusing or misleading advertising or marketing — 
Company: Paypal Holdings, Inc (NC)

I was scammed out of {$800.00} for a dog that I never did receive. Started XXXX XXXX, XXXX, saw an ad dogs for sale. I talked with XXXX XXXX and sent {$400.00} paid through Paypal for down payment.on dog XXXX. I have paperwork of money sent. After sending all the money, ( 2 pmt of {$400.00} ) The next step was the dog will be delivered to me. The information below was the last step of the scam. I never got the dog because they were asking for {$500.00} to get the dog delivered and that was not the agreement. I went to Paypal and to my bank to see if I could stop payment but they would not because they both said because I paid under Family/Friend I could not get the money back. Emails they used were XXXX ( {$400.00} ) XXXX XXXX, XXXX and XXXX. $ XXXX XXXX, XXXX Sent : Sun, XX/XX/XXXX at XXXX XXXX  Subject : URGENT REQUEST!!! 100 % Refundable Cites/ Import Permit License Needed Welcome to XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  : CALL - ( XXXX ) XXXX TO VISIT OUR WEBSITE CLICK THE LINK BELOW XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX The puppy is now in XXXX, North Carolina, United States XXXX and the XXXX XXXX are demanding a CITES/IMPORT PERMIT Document before the puppy can be allowed to move from XXXX, North Carolina, to XXXX XXXX North Carolina XXXX Without the XXXX XXXX document, the puppy can not pass through the XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX. Instead, the customs agents will impound it. You will have to make a CITES PERMIT document before we can proceed with the movement of the puppy to your house address today. 
The XXXX, North Carolina XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX, in collaboration with XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, are the initial contractors for this shipment. Hence, we advise you to contact us now. The Cite Permit Document Shall Cost USD XXXX for the XXXX XXXX XXXX Name XXXX, and the money you will deposit for the document shall be 100 % refundable today after you receive the puppy at your home. The delivery has been temporarily put On Hold ; Until you make the payment deposit of USD XXXX so we can establish the CITES XXXX Document, we will not be able to proceed with the puppy 's movement to your house address. 
If you do not provide the money to establish this document, the puppy shall not be allowed to move from XXXX, North Carolina, to XXXX, North Carolina. Instead, it will be impounded at the XXXX XXXX until the CITES PERMIT document payment is made. This puppy will not be released, and while in the impound loft, you will need to pay XXXX Dollars for every night the puppy spends there. So we advise you to get back to us and make the payment so we can proceed and make the CITES PERMIT document. 

This is by our rules and policies taken in XXXX since the existence of this company, which states that we can not take the risk to deliver a live animal without their Cites/Imports XXXX XXXX covered. If we do this, your life will be at stake since the ownership documents carry your names ; thus, a case file shall be established against you in court for the charge of ILLEGAL SMUGGLING OF A PET. Therefore, you will have to pay for the Refundable import charges of your puppy before we can proceed with the movement & delivery of the puppy today. 
You need a license to act as a legal importer. However, some pets require approval or permits from various government agencies to be imported. 
XXXX, We strive to offer our best services, but we can't go against company policies to please you. 
As soon as you want to make the payment, please get back to us with CONFIRMATION and DIRECTIONS so that our XXXX and XXXX Department can confirm the price and establish the document for your puppy. Remember this fee is 100 % refundable to you with the other refunds today. As soon as the payment is made, a refund document shall be sent to you to sign as quickly as possible because we are left with no time before driving down to your house today. 
The Cites will help in the following. 
XXXX } It will help your puppy to enter your city without being impounded by the XXXX department. 
XXXX } It will help the XXXX XXXX XXXX to identify you as the legal owner of the puppy. 

USE THE CASHIER 'S XXXX XXXX ACCOUNT TO MAKE THE 100 % REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT FOR THE CITES/IMPORT PERMIT LICENSE SO THAT WE CAN PROCEED FOR PAYMENT XXXX Pay Email : XXXX Account Name XXXX XXXX XXXX Amount : {$500.00} Reason : Cites Permit License Please take a snapshot of the receipt after the deposit and send it to us for clarification. 

WE AWAIT YOUR SOONEST REPLY TO CARRY ON WITH THE DELIVERY MINUTES FROM NOW. 

Considering our Pet Shipping and Delivery Services, we look forward to helping you with the problematic pet shipping and delivery process. We are here to ease your mind and spirit and let your pet 's air travel and delivery be as comfortable as possible ..... 
. YOUR SATISFACTION IS OUR GREATEST CONCERN. 
We do everything to make our customers happy. 
XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX... THANKS FOR USING OUR AGENCY... 

... MANAGEMENT...