Avoid getting scammed by people selling parrots on the internet, one lady’s story and how you can learn from it.
For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Jamieleigh and I have a lot of parrots. The picture below, is me. I’m blonde, about 5’4″ and work and train parrots for a living.
Now that you know what I look like, I can tell you more about how to save yourself upwards of $300 and a ton of heartbreak by not buying birds from people who are scamming you out of your money – and using my photos with my own birds to do so. If you see me and my birds in an ad saying the birds are for sale – run the other direction, it’s a scam. And scammers LOVE using my pictures.
Blue throated macaw
First of all, scammers are getting darn good and they’re making tons of fake websites to help them get your money fast. For example, the International Animal Transport Agency website (http://petmover.webs.com/contactus.htm)? It doesn’t really exist. It’s fake. You can’t contact the customer service, they have tons of typos and none of the information given is legit… scammers created it to make you feel like you can actually track your non-existent new pet they didn’t ship.
HOW SCAMMERS FIND YOU:
- You put out an ad on the internet saying you want to buy a parrot.
- Someone else (scammer) puts out a fake ad about selling/giving away a parrot which you respond to.
WEBSITES WE’VE FOUND PARROT SCAMS ON USING OUR PICTURES:
- http://www.hoobly.com/
- http://www.kijiji.com/
- http://www.oodle.com/
Now this doesn’t mean these are bad websites, but it does mean to shop carefully and be able to recognize when people are using our photos for their ads. If you see it, REPORT IT. It’s fraud and it’s illegal. Only buy from verified and trustworthy sellers, those that are will have icons saying so next to their user names.
The latest victim to a parrot selling scam involving my pictures was a nice lady from Canada named Wendy. She put an ad out looking for a cockatiel, and she got a reply from Ann Lewis saying she was out of cockatiels but had some other parrots that might interest Wendy. These parrots happened to be… mine. And Ann? Well she happened to be… me. Or at least she claimed she was me in the photos she sent out to Wendy.
Ann sent Wendy tons of pictures of me with my birds that she stole from this very blog, as well as our Flickr account. I suggest you become VERY familiar with our photos from flickr so that you can help spot new ad scams out there.
After falling in love with our parrot pictures and the hopes of getting one of our birds, Wendy quickly sent Ann the $110 she asked for simply for shipping and nothing else. Ann just wanted to make sure the birds went to a really good home… yeah, right.
Straight from scammer Ann to Wendy:
these birds came with all necessary papers needed,but as the Canadian veterinarian must conduct another test to be sure of their health status,It was done ,all was fine and Medication Papers were accurate ,The test Results shows that this birds are free from such diseases that may attack other Animals like (dogs, Monkeys and Cats E.T.C).So these birds are now ready for shipping and delivery ……………. But it should be noted that this processes cannot be carried out unless the sum of ($110) is paid for the flight ticket .for these birds will come alongside with two of our pet carriers.
FYI, all money transactions were done through Western Union.
But then when it came time to “ship the birds” Ann needed $350 for insurance on the flight. Wendy didn’t have it and let Ann know it. But Ann had an idea – she would pay $200 if Wendy paid $150 and then the birds would get there the NEXT DAY! Wendy was excited, and quickly paid the next $150 to Ann.
DEAR CLIENT,
ACCEPT GREETINGS FROM THE ENTIRE STAFF OF THE PET TIME OF PET MOVERS CARGO BRANCH BANFF / CANMORE. WE HAVE INFORMATION TO DELIVER TWO HYACINTH MACAW PARROTS AT YOUR HOME TODAY. WE ARE SORRY FOR THE WHAT WE ARE TO TELL YOU BUT YOU HAVE TO KNOW THAT VACCINES OF YOUR BIRDS HAVE EXPIATE JUST SOME FEW HOURS A GO AND WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE ANIMAL DOCTORS OF THE CANADIAN KENNEL CLUB SAID THAT THIS BIRDS CAN NOT CONTINUE THE FLIGHT TO YOUR HOME . THIS VACCINES COST $150. THIS VACCINES IS OF YOUR OWN GOOD AS THESE BIRDS CAN BE AFFECTED BY DISEASES THAT CONTAMINATE PETS IN A FLIGHT. SO PLEASE GET BACK TO US AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND SEE THAT YOU PAY THIS MONEY SO THAT THESE BIRDS CAN GET THEIR VACCINES WRIGHT AWAY AND BE DELIVERED OK.
SORRY FOR THE THIS BUT WE CAN NOT DO UNDER WISE
Still… no birds. Nothing… and this was $260 later…
Then another email from Ann. This time she needed MORE MONEY for vet checks and bills because she couldn’t send them without getting them checked out. This is when Wendy drew the line and started doing her own research online. That’s when she found MY photos with the birds (who were renamed Vinny and Minny by Ann for ultimate scamming purposes) and contacted me via my email. I told her where she could find our videos, authentic websites and a link to our Flickr… all of which she had found on her own and knew Ann was not legit and she had lost her money for good.
Her new goal? To let ALL OF YOU know about her loss so you don’t face the same.
BEWARE OF THESE SCAMMER EMAIL ADDRESSES:
- interpetdelivers@in.com
- lewisann2009@live.com
TIPS FOR AVOIDING BEING SCAMMED:
When people just want a good home for their bird and will only charge you shipping, BE CAUTIOUS. Demand photos with DATE STAMPS, demand phone calls with the people you’re in contact with, demand to talk to the vet who checks the birds before shipping them. And when it’s international, you HAVE to complete paperwork so don’t believe the sender has it “all taken care of” because they can’t! It’s literally impossible, both parties HAVE to complete paperwork such as import/export permits and go through designated ports of entry. Vets have to check the animals at take off and landing destinations… it’s very in depth so don’t let anyone fool you.
51 comments
Don’t ever give Nobleafricangrayparrot.com money I made payments for two months he stole my money did not shop my bird won’t answer my calls. He is making me cry today 700 dollars he stole from me. Stay away from nobleaficangrayparrot.com
Do you know anything about Pharaoh Parrots in Rhode Island?They have alexandrine parrots for sale at $1200.I live in Leesburg,FL.When asked about shipping,they said shipping charge is only $30.But did not specify method of shipping.Alexandrine parrots usually sell for about $2500-3000.Shipping by airport is usually around $200.How could it be only $30 shipping to Leesburg FL VIA Orlando airport?Please contact me with information about Pharaoh Parrots.Thank you.William Patterson.
If anyone familiar with richardpetstore.com? I’ve been looking for a parrot for a while now and can’t find any options that don’t seem like scams. This online store seems sketchy it asks you to check out by paying through cash app and when you go to the about us page it shows reviews of people saying they bought stuff at the actual location of the store but when I look up the address it’s a regular house and if you look up the store it doesn’t pop up with an address or location.
Check out the shelters for pet birds, they need a good home and usually are being rehomed for a much lower cost. I adopted a green wing macaw for $600.
Just got scammed by guy named timothy nowling if anyone sees about buying african gray now im out 800 stupid me
I had several scammers trying to sell me a bird. Easy enough to identify. If it’s too good to be true then it absolutely is. African Grey parrots are selling for $3500 to $8000. If they are asking $600, they don’t have a bird. If you really want one expect to pay what they are bringing now. If you can’t afford that, they are expensive birds to own. You need nice cage of appropriate size, vet bills, toys and food. Just to mention a few. If you still want one, keep looking.
Where can I buy African grey in IL?
Does anybody know or have heard of parrots for home in San Jose cali
I have been trying to buy a bird but I’m afraid to send money do you to people who I don’t know is there a way or do you have a site that actually has live Video and actual people who have birds and who want to lovely sell their macaw birds to others
Anyone know anything about Healthy Parrots Club out of Charlotte, NC?
So how do I find a true African Grey dealer
Have you ever heard of My Parrott Zone out of Thorton Co. Have green googling them for reviews other then there web site nothing. I think they may be scammers because there is no address or phone number to speak with someone.
It is not easy buying a parrot on the internet. I have run into dozens of website scammers. I look up the website in “WHOIS” and it most always says that they bought the name under “cheapname” and the host of the website DNS is really generic and nothing you would see in the states. I’m wondering if there is a way to use a broker for the sales? Like you hold the money until the customer gets their bird, and then you send the money to the seller. Most all of the scammers ask for Western Union, BitCoin, or Paypal freinds and family. I asked one why friends and family, we would both benefit from regular paypal because we would both have protection. None of them can answer that question believably. I have also done pitcture look ups and one person sent me pictures from an actual zoo. One person called me from a Minnesota phone number when he told me he was in Georgia. If the seller can only deal in cash, there should be an online broker that you can use…but if they only accept cash and friends and family, they are a scammer. I have researched iver 9 of these scammers and there are so many more. If they get caught-they just change their name and information and move on.
I been scammed 2 times now one with 650.and another with 900. One web site is the parrot farm 1-203-293-7578. The other site is quickwittedparrothome.com # 1707-723-6517
I saw a website(macaweggsforsale.com) selling African Greys for $250 each. I thinks its a scam. Has anyone else had experience with this website?
V-b-h.net looks like scam.
I went on craigslist albuquerque, looking for pet birds, I saw an ad for Amazing conjures. She said she needed to rehome a Male and female wanted $100 each. She said she was in Warren Minasota. her phone #area is Louisana. Beware
I went on craigslist albuquerque, looking for pet birds, I saw an ad for Amazing conjures. She said she needed to rehome a Male and female wanted $100 each. She said she was in Warren Minasota. her phone #area is Louisana. Beware
Just a warning about purchasing a bird or bird eggs from Mosong Parrot Farm, IT’S A SCAM!! U can only pay by WIRE MONEY,or send it through PayPal ONLY USING FAMILY OR FRIENDS PAYMENT ONLY. OR ZELL. AND CASH APP.
I got almost same story today!!! The scammer said his wife has passed away few months ago, they have a 3 years old male African Grey, sell only $350, we paid $175 deposit, he asked pay $140 more the cage and other stuff before he ship them out, I refused. He gave me a tracking number, I don’t believe it, now just wait see if I can receive anything .
I’m trying to look for parrot but every website I go on seems to be a scam especially when I search their websites on YouTube and everybody comments scams do you know where a reputable breeder website because I really want a bird I did all my research and I watch all your videos on how to train it so I can live a long happy life .
This is why I don’t own a pet African grey yet. Sadly I’ve been looking for years but everything I find is a scam.
Hi, I was recently scammed. Hate to admit, and now I’m out 600.00 and no bird. 😪so now I’m helping to make sure these people do get shut down. Unfortunately if it’s too good to be true it usually is. Beware of Valfly12 hoobly, Joseph Thuku@ hoobly, Roger Crisler, hoobly. Phone associated with these people is 1-289-277-4190.
I’ve been in contact with 2 different people wanting money for shipping. When I told them I would come pick them up, they needed money to hold them for me. I flat out said I would not send money. No more bird..already gone to someone else. Glad I have good insight and found this page.
Was scamed buy mikes feather friends ,,mfeatherfriends.com,,mfeaterfriends.gmail.com. mike lubanzi he said his name scamed me out of 900.00 , complaint has been filed a private investigation is on going ..the 2nd part for another 1600.00 was done by fake shipper Chirpy tails voyage…make sure this gets out so no one else gets scamed,,im a disabled senoir citizen and cant afford to lose my savings like that…there is some cold blooded sick people out there….
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