Cattle, a kitten and even donkeys have allegedly been falsely advertised for sale on social media by a man accused of running an online livestock scam.
Police have encouraged people to conduct background checks before paying deposits for animals online after charging a 26-year-old man with a string of fraud offences.
The man is accused of falsely advertising for sale on social media livestock feed and animals including cattle, donkeys and a kitten, allegedly receiving money from victims between August and October 2023.
Police said they had identified 12 buyers who deposited more than $7500 to the alleged seller but never received the animals or feed.
Detectives arrested the man on Tuesday after searching a Kallangur property, north of Brisbane.
The man was charged with 14 counts of fraud along with a number of drug offences.
"The Rural and Stock Crime Squad encourages buyers to conduct background checks in relation to the seller and livestock before paying any deposit," a police statement said.
"These checks could include arranging to inspect the livestock, requesting the Property Identification Code, Australian Business Number and having a voice phone conversation with the seller."
Police said victims could report to the Australian Cyber Security Centre.
The 26-year-old man will face Pine Rivers Magistrates Court on November 14.
Queensland police issued a community warning to be aware of online livestock scams in July.
It came after police investigated reports of fraud in which a seller allegedly did not deliver advertised livestock when people paid deposits or the buyer attended an address and the animals were not there.
Police said the reports included various breeds of cattle, horses, donkeys and chickens.
