Sonja Botha-Sass

PUPPY SCAMMER LORAINE FOURIE

We were looking for a new puppy and I found Loraine Fourie's website after an internet search. I filled in the form and not long after that I got a message from her that she has puppies. She even sent me photos and videos on request and her address in a link - 18 Duiker Street, Jordaan Park, Heidelberg GP. The profile picture on her whatsup is that of a well groomed grey haired lady with a blue outfit on. Cell number 083 795 3342. She said that there are other people interested in the puppy I wanted, and a payment would secure the puppy. I must also make the payment to go through immediately. The puppy could be delivered to me by the next day and she can arrange for it to be flown down to me for only R950. We asked her to send us a video of her holding the puppy.. never got it, because she was apparently out with her family and that she would do that when she gets home. I was searching for her on facebook, but could not find her anywhere. Lucky for me I did not select the option to make an immediate payment, and she seemed to be very upset with me for doing that. I did send the proof of payment to her, but she was not satisfied. She wanted the money there and then. There are two bank accounts that she uses that I am aware of - Capitec and FNB. After I made the payment I realized that I spelt her name incorrectly on Facebook, and when I typed in the correct spelling "red flags" went up. Someone else has been scammed by her and she was warning people on certain groups not to buy a puppy from her. It turns our that the address she has given is actually an open field in Heidelberg, of which I have proof. Sometimes when other people searched for the address on another link, it turns out be and address in Brits. Apparently there were a few people looking for her at the given address in the last couple of days. She also scams people with kittens, and uses a slightly different address. Everything seems to be legit and above board. But please do your homework before you buy a puppy online. I managed to stop the payment by contacting the Fraud dept at our bank, and I am extremely grateful for that. She contacted me today and asked me if I stopped the payment, because she has not received the money. I opened a case of Fraud with SAPS today 28/02/2023. Event though no crime has taken place, because she has not received our money, this person needs to be investigated and brought to book. She is a heartless criminal who preys on one's emotions, especially when one has recently lost a pet. Oh she also speaks Afrikaans fluently. Does not answer her phone - A friend of my phoned her, but she did not answer. And she cancels and postpone appointments with feeble excuses. You can also find a list of scammers (all kinds of scammers) on www.petsplace.co.za - I got permission from the owner of the website to share the web address.