Puppy Fraud on the Rise, as Scammers Play on Pet Lovers’ Isolation Amid Pandemic

A dog is taken for a walk in Toronto in this recent photo. The Better Business Bureau says puppy scams are growing as fraudsters look to take advantage of lonely pet lovers during the pandemic. The Canadian Press/Melissa Couto

OTTAWA—The Better Business Bureau says puppy scams are a growing problem across the country as fraudsters look to take advantage of lonely pet lovers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bureau says Canadians have lost about $300,000 so far this year after falling prey to fake breeders, compared to about $150,000 during all of 2019.