How to avoid scams when buying a dog online? Practical guide for Romania
Buying a dog online can be a very pleasant experience, but it can also become unpleasant if you choose an unverified seller.
A nice photo, an attractive price, and a few WhatsApp messages are not enough to prove that a puppy exists, is healthy, or that the seller is trustworthy.
Before sending money for a dog found on the internet, it is important to verify who is selling it, where the puppy comes from, what documents it has, and what happens after payment.
If you don’t want to carry out all these checks yourself, you can use a specialized service such as BucuriaCasei, a pet intermediary agency that finds puppies suitable for the client’s requirements, verifies collaborating breeders and animals, and assists you through the process until delivery.
The most frequent signs of a possible scam
Not every online ad is a fraud. However, there are certain warning signs you should take very seriously.
1. The price is far too low
One of the most well-known warning signs is an unusually low price.
For example, you find a purebred dog normally sold for several thousand lei, but someone offers it at a much lower price and explains that:
- "must go urgently";
- "the owner has a problem";
- "must leave today";
- "there is only one puppy left";
- "if you pay the deposit now, you reserve it."
A low price does not automatically prove fraud, but combining an unusually low price with pressure to pay quickly is a serious cause for caution.
Do not make a decision just because the offer seems too good to miss.
2. The photos may be real but not of the actual dog.
A photo from the internet is not sufficient proof.
It is possible for someone to use real photos of puppies that belong to someone else.
Therefore, before paying, ask for:
- recent photos;
- recent videos;
- images of the puppy from multiple angles;
- information about the exact age;
- photos or videos in which the puppy can be clearly identified;
- information about the place where it is raised.
A recent video is generally much more relevant than a single professional photograph.
You can even ask for a photo or video made especially for you.
3. The seller avoids video calls.
This is one of the most important warning signs.
If the person says they have a puppy available but consistently refuses to show the puppy to you on a video call, you should be cautious.
Not every breeder is required to respond immediately to a video call, but if:
- they avoid any call;
- they do not want to show the puppy live;
- they always send the same photos;
- they constantly find reasons why they cannot show the puppy;
- they insist you pay before you see enough proof,
the situation warrants investigation before any payment.
4. You are asked for a deposit before receiving sufficient information.
A deposit does not automatically mean fraud.
A legitimate breeder or service may request an amount to reserve a puppy.
The problem arises when you are asked to send money before knowing who you are dealing with and what you will receive in return..
Before any payment, you should clearly know:
- who the seller is;
- what the total price is;
- what the price includes;
- what amount represents the deposit;
- what you receive in exchange for the deposit;
- under what conditions it can be refunded;
- when and how the delivery is made;
- what documents the dog will have;
- what happens if the animal can no longer be delivered.
For distance contracts, consumer protection laws require the professional to provide certain pre-contract information, including their identity, the main features of the offer, the total price, and, if applicable, the conditions regarding deposits.
Do not send money to someone you don’t have enough information about just because they say "there is only one puppy left."
5. Verify the seller's identity.
Before paying, you need to know who you are dealing with.
If it’s a company, check:
- the company name;
- the identification data;
- the contact information;
- the address;
- the terms and conditions;
- the privacy policy;
- the payment method;
- the fiscal documents;
- the existence of genuine reviews.
A professional website is not an absolute guarantee that the offer is safe, but an almost total lack of information about who is behind the site is a warning sign.
In the case of a distance transaction with a professional, the consumer must receive clear information about the professional's identity and the total price of the good or service.
6. Do not rely solely on the Facebook or Instagram profile.
A social media profile can be created very easily.
Therefore, the fact that a seller has:
- many photos;
- hundreds of followers;
- comments;
- an old profile;
does not by itself prove that the offer is authentic.
Search for information from multiple sources.
For example:
Website + company data + reviews + breeder information + documents + real communication = a much more complete picture.
The more the information is confirmed from multiple directions, the lower the risk of making a wrong decision.
7. Check the dog's documents
A dog should not be presented only by a photo and a price.
Depending on age, situation, and destination, appropriate documentation must be available.
Important items include:
- health record booklet;
- microchip identification;
- registration in RECS;
- vaccination information;
- deworming information;
- documents regarding origin/pedigree, if requested and available;
- pet passport when necessary for international travel.
In Romania, identification and registration of dogs in RECS are part of the official framework for owned dog records.
Therefore, the statement "it doesn't need documents, it's just a puppy" should make you check the situation very carefully before purchase.
8. Beware of stories trying to make you pay immediately
Scams often rely on emotion.
When it’s about a puppy, this is even easier.
You might receive messages like:
"If you don't pay the deposit now, someone else will take it."
"There are many people interested."
"You need to confirm within the next hour."
"The transporter leaves tonight."
"You just need to pay the transport fee."
A serious seller may, of course, have other people interested in the same puppy. The difference is that you shouldn’t be pressured to skip checks just because someone artificially creates a sense of urgency.
When you feel pressure to pay before you can verify, stop.
9. Watch out for “surprise fees” after you've paid
Another method used in online scams is asking for additional amounts after the initial payment.
For example:
"You need another 500 lei for transport."
Then:
"An additional fee is required for the cage."
Then:
"A deposit is needed for the documents."
And finally, more and more costs appear.
Before you pay, you need to know what the total cost is and what it includes.
If there are additional costs, they must be clearly explained before making the payment.
10. Don’t buy a dog just because it “looks like the photo”
When choosing a purebred dog, appearance is important but not the only criterion.
You need to know:
- what breed it is;
- what the age is;
- who the parents are, if this information is available;
- what the estimated size is;
- which vaccines it has received;
- what antiparasitic treatments it has received;
- whether it is microchipped;
- what documents accompany it;
- in what conditions it was raised;
- when it can be delivered.
An informed buyer does not buy just "a cute puppy from a photo."
They buy an animal about which they have enough information to make a responsible decision.
How to quickly check if a dog ad is suspicious?
You can use the following list before sending any money.
Anti-scam checklist
☐ I know who is selling the dog.
☐ I have verifiable contact details.
☐ I have seen recent photos and/or videos.
☐ I have received clear information about the dog’s age.
☐ I know where the puppy is located.
☐ I know the total price.
☐ I know exactly what the deposit covers.
☐ I know what documents the dog will receive.
☐ I know when and how delivery will be made.
☐ I am not pressured to pay immediately.
☐ I have received clear information about the transaction conditions.
If the answer to many of these questions is "no", don’t rush to pay.
How can BucuriaCasei help you avoid these risks?
One of the problems with buying a dog directly online is that all the checks become the buyer’s responsibility.
You need to find the breeder.
You need to check the breeder.
You need to check the puppy.
You need to check the documents.
You need to arrange transportation.
You need to establish how and when the handover takes place.
For someone buying a pedigree dog for the first time, all these things can be difficult.
BucuriaCasei was created specifically to simplify this process.
BucuriaCasei is a pet brokerage agency, not a breeder. The website presents offers from collaborating breeders, and the service includes verifications and support throughout the process.
What does BucuriaCasei verify?
Depending on the offer and client requirements, the process may include:
- verification of collaborating breeders;
- verification of the conditions in which the animals are kept;
- verification of the puppy;
- collaboration with veterinarians;
- additional photos and videos;
- verification of documents;
- age-appropriate vaccination and deworming;
- microchipping;
- health booklet;
- preparing the necessary transport documents;
- arranging transportation;
- assistance before and after delivery.
These services are also presented on the BucuriaCasei website, where the company describes medical checks, nest inspections, transportation, and support offered to clients.
Why is it safer to work with a company rather than an unknown seller?
The main difference is that you don't have to start from scratch.
When you find an ad from an unknown person, you have to verify almost everything yourself.
In the case of a specialized service, you have an entity to communicate with, contractual conditions, and a defined process.
At BucuriaCasei, the agency commission is paid through the website, and the client receives an invoice for this commission. According to the company's current terms, the price difference for the dog is paid directly to the breeder upon delivery.
BucuriaCasei also offers support before, during, and after delivery and includes in its terms a medical warranty for certain viral diseases, under the conditions established in the contract.
This does not mean that any purchase through a company is risk-free. However, it means the process is more transparent and you are not left managing every step alone.
What to do if you have already found a dog on the internet
If you have already found a puppy you like, you don't have to give up on the offer immediately.
Before you pay, do the following:
Step 1
Ask for complete information about the dog and the seller.
Step 2
Request recent photos and videos.
Step 3
Verify the documents and health information.
Step 4
Verify the identity of the person or company.
Step 5
Ask for the total price and all additional costs.
Step 6
Read the conditions regarding deposits and cancellations.
Step 7
Do not send money just because someone is pressuring you.
Step 8
If you don't feel able to do the verifications yourself, use a specialized service.
An easier alternative: let BucuriaCasei search and verify for you.
If you know which breed you want but don’t want to spend days checking ads, breeders, and offers online, you can send your requirements to BucuriaCasei.
You can specify, for example:
- breed;
- sex;
- color;
- the desired size;
- budget;
- age;
- the city where you want delivery;
- whether you want a pedigree;
- whether you need international transport.
The team searches for suitable options within the network of collaborators and can present photos, videos, and information about puppies before you choose.
Thus, instead of searching alone through dozens of ads and wondering if the person behind them is trustworthy, you can delegate an important part of the process to a specialized agency.
Conclusion: don't buy in haste
The simplest way to avoid being scammed when buying a dog online is not to let emotion replace verification.
Don’t pay just for a photo.
Verify the person, the dog, the documents, the price, the conditions, and the delivery method.
And if you want to simplify the entire process, BucuriaCasei can help you find the right dog, check the offer, and organize purchase and transport under the safest conditions.
Are you looking for a pedigree dog?
Tell us what breed you want, your budget, and the city where you want the puppy to arrive.
BucuriaCasei searches, verifies, and helps you through the entire process, from choosing the puppy to delivery.
It’s better to check before you pay than to try to recover the money afterward.
