Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester Police Department says a local woman has likely fallen victim to the Puppy Scam. 

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Police Captain Casey Moilanen said the victim posted about her dog dying in a Facebook group this past January. The woman said someone then reached out to her saying they had a puppy for sale for $450 in Council Bluffs, IA. 

See Also: Rochester Man Scammed Out of Nearly $20k 

The woman said she put down a $100 deposit and was set to pick up the puppy on February 5 but the scammer said they couldn’t meet in person due to a family emergency. The scammer then told the woman they would ship her the puppy through a faux shipping company called Multi International. 

Tero Vesalainen GettyStock
Tero Vesalainen GettyStock
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The woman agreed to cover the shipping cost and other fees associated with the shipment. Moilanen said the victim reported interacting with a contact from the company several times, including one incident when she was told the puppy was waiting for her at the Rochester Airport. 

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The woman said she went to the airport and found the puppy was not there. Moilanen said the woman made 10 payments totaling $1,800 before realizing she had likely fallen victim to the scam. 

Moilanen said the goal of the scam is to get the target emotionally attached to a puppy and get as many payments out of them as possible. He advises the public to physically see and hold a puppy before buying it or sending a potential seller money.

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