202-417-7474 – Caller report

Person said she had a Shih Tzu that she wanted to find a good home for because her work was taking up so much time. Claimed she was in Baker City, OR. Wanted $250 for the dog, and she could have her delivered to us. I made two-$100 payments to her with a $50 balance to be sent to her on the 2nd of Sept. Yesterday, she said she dropped "Lori" off at the transportation place and to wait for their call or email about the delivery. I got an email shortly thereafter and it was from a gmail email address ( looking like an official VIP insurance post) saying I needed to make a $275 insurance payment, which would be refunded upon delivery of the dog. It had to be done within 24 hours or the dog would be put in quarantine. Why? If it was coming just across OR to me. I contacted the woman, and we went back and forth about this. I told her that there was NO mention about insurance, and if there was, SHE should be paying for it and get it refunded to her. She eventually told me that she contacted a prior "client", who stated that they did pay the insurance, got the dog and the insurance payment refunded upon delivery. "Client"? She all the time before this, made it seem as if SHE was the owner. I have a friend who was from Baker city and when I showed her the pictures and videos of Lori, she said that is not Baker city. She told me to tell the woman that my friend in Baker City wanted to see Lori before my getting her. I was told by this woman that she had sent pictures and videos. (Red Flag #1). While making the 2-$100 payments for Lori on different day/week. There was also issues with the "address" to send to was not known on PayPal. There were always other email addresses to try.. and eventually both payments went through. Then for the insurance, PayPal could not send it, so I was told to try Zelle(?). We did and the bank said they needed more information. A few minutes later the bank called and asked about the payment, if we knew the people personally or not. Apparently, that email/person was already flagged as fraudulent and so the bank cancelled the payment and deleted the Zelle account all together for us. My only dealings with the woman at this number has been via text.