A Victoria woman, Jacqui Loughton, is sounding the alarm on potential scammers after her beloved cat went missing, and she fell victim to a deceptive individual claiming to have found her pet.
Georgie, Loughton’s cherished five-year-old feline companion, mysteriously disappeared on a Sunday night. Loughton suspects that Georgie slipped out while they were letting the dogs outside.
In a conversation with Global News, Loughton recounted her efforts to reunite with Georgie. Her family initiated a neighborhood search, putting up posters that included their contact information, should anyone find Georgie.
However, the situation took a troubling turn when Loughton received a text message the following morning stating, “Hi, I know where your cat is.” When she inquired about the cat’s whereabouts, the sender claimed that a close friend had discovered Georgie but refused to divulge any additional details, such as the friend’s address.
After a few more exchanges, Loughton’s suspicions were aroused. She warned the sender that she would contact the police, to which they responded with indifference.
According to Loughton, the police informed her that the interaction fell just short of warrant-worthy criminal activity since the sender did not directly request money. This led Loughton to believe that the scammer was well-versed in their deceptive tactics.
Lesli Steeves, co-founder of Victoria’s ROAM (Reuniting Owners with Animals Missing), expressed her frustration over Loughton’s experience, mentioning that the organization receives between 20 and 30 reports of found pet scams daily. She highlighted ROAM’s cautious approach, which includes requesting photos of the found pet, as a means to discern potential scams.
The Better Business Bureau in British Columbia has not yet received reports regarding this specific scam, but the non-profit consumer support organization is well aware of the issue. They emphasize that scammers are exploiting the vulnerability of pet owners during their most distressing times.
Simone Lis, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau, warned, “They’re looking for any way to find an ‘in,’ and so, this is the ‘in’ for them. You have to protect yourself to ensure you’re dealing with someone who is legitimate.”
Despite the distressing ordeal, Loughton remains determined to reunite with Georgie. She is collaborating with ROAM while also conducting an independent search for her beloved cat.
Loughton passionately stated, “It would mean everything. We need that part of our family back. It’s not whole without her.”
Pet owners across the region are urged to exercise caution and vigilance when responding to messages from unknown sources claiming to have found their lost pets, as these heartbreaking scams continue to proliferate.
