People looking to buy a pet have been warned that online scams are on the rise and which breeds are being targeted by con artists.
Anyone who is buying a pet through social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are at risk of being caught out by fake adverts for animals.
And its prompted a warning for pet lovers to take special care where they buy the animals as people are losing an average of £307 to scams, according to new research from Lloyds Bank.
The study found that pet scams have risen by 24% so far this year compared with 2022 - with those involving dogs up 19% and cats 13%
Scams involving dogs are most common, with criminals only too aware families are constantly looking to add a new pet to the household.
But there has been a massive increase in people being conned over buying horses and horse equipment with an increase of 42%.
Experts say crooks will often pretend to be selling a pet that simply doesn't exist, in the hope they can convince buyers to hand over the cash.
And they have been targeting particular breeds on social media.
Those most likely to be affected by scams have been found to be Yorkshire terriers, blue Staffordshire bull terriers, Rottweilers and Pomeranians. When it comes to cats, it's Maine coons, ragdolls and sphynxs.
Scammers will take photos from the internet and share fictitious information about the animal - such as parentage or medical information - to create the illusion of authenticity.
At first, the scammer may appear to follow the steps of a reputable seller - by agreeing to a viewing of the pet in its home environment, or with its mother, experts say.
But it won't be long before this is replaced by excuses and constant pressure to make a payment prior to a visit. This can be for the full amount, or a deposit.
As soon as money has been sent, the advert and scammer will disappear. Customers have been told to look out for several red flags, including sellers applying pressure for payment, someone contacting you out of the blue and the seller making excuses.
Liz Ziegler, fraud prevention director at Lloyds Bank said: "Owning a pet is one of the great joys of life, becoming true companions and part of our families. Fraudsters know this and are ready to take advantage, preying on people's desire to add another family member to the home.
"It is infuriatingly simple for a fraudster to upload a fake advert to an online marketplace for an animal that doesn't exist. Not to mention those posted by appalling, disreputable breeders whose interests lie firmly in profit, rather than animal welfare.
"Social media companies are making money from these criminals, and those searching for a pet are left heartbroken twice. Once by the loss of hundreds, or even thousands, of pounds. But also by the realisation and disappointment that a pet won't be joining the family after all."
