In recent days a dangerous scam has been uncovered that began to circulate in social networks, particularly in Facebook groups in Ibiza. The scammers, taking advantage of the sensitivity of those who wish to adopt a pet, publish ads in which they give away purebred puppies. However, what appears to be an altruistic act hides a well-orchestrated plot whose sole objective is to obtain money from the victims.
La Voz de Ibiza undercover contacted those responsible for this scam, who exposed their entire modus operandi throughout an extensive conversation. A story full of emotional manipulation, insistence and well-crafted deception was uncovered.
A touching initial contact
The scam starts with an eye-catching publication: a Maltese bichon, barely three months old, is offered for adoption free of charge. The ad includes an emotional story where the supposed owners explain that they cannot take care of the puppy due to an unexpected trip to Paris.
In the conversation with the scammer, identified as Daniel Marie, the plot begins with his introduction: “After reading your profile, I agree to offer you Praline. I came to Paris for professional reasons after the death of my mother, the puppy’s owner. We don’t have time to take care of her and I want to find her a home where she will be loved and not see her mistreated or abandoned”. The carefully constructed story seeks to gain the victim’s trust. The puppy is described as perfect: “She loves to play with children and be in company. She is super clean and very active.” Everything is calculated to arouse the interest and excitement of the person concerned.
The unexpected twist: the puppy shipment
Once the supposed owner manages to capture the trust, he introduces the impossibility to personally deliver the dog. At this point, Daniel Marie offers a solution: the use of a trusted transport company to send the puppy from Paris to Ibiza. The curious thing about the case is how he justifies the method. “We can send you the puppy by the same company that transported Praline to Paris. You only have to pay the transport costs and the payment will be made when you receive the puppy at your home,” he says. The conversation seems credible at first, but then the suspicious conditions start to appear. The victim must make an advance payment at a gas station, a completely irregular procedure. The scammer details the maneuver precisely: “You must go to a Repsol or Cepsa service station and buy four Paysafecard coupons for 50 euros. The company needs to confirm the purchase to activate the shipment. Once confirmed, they will send you an email with the flight and puppy delivery schedules.” “Avoid talking about animal transactions so you don’t overpay,” they warn.
Fake company and trap mail
As part of the scam, the scammer promises that the supposed company will send a confirmation email. In the mail that has reached La Voz de Ibiza , details edited to make it look professional can be seen. The mail mentions flight information, departure and arrival times, and requests the payment of 200 euros for transportation costs. The victim, already excited with the idea of adopting the puppy, may fall into the trap. However, the method of payment requested, prepaid coupons, is a sure sign of fraud. Once the scammer receives the coupon codes, the money disappears without a trace and the victim has no further contact with him.
Pressure and the outcome
During the conversation, Daniel Marie adopts an increasingly insistent tone, pressuring the victim to make the payment quickly. Phrases such as “If you don’t make the payment now, I’ll have to cancel everything and find another home for Praline” are used to generate urgency and emotionally manipulate the victim. When the victim begins to show doubts, the scammer increases the pressure with constant and aggressive messages. Finally, once the money is obtained, the scammer disappears, leaving the victim without a puppy and without the possibility of recovering what was lost.
Global reach: from Ibiza to the rest of the world
The worrying thing about this scam is its international dimension. Similar cases have been reported in other parts of Spain, such as the Canary Islands, and in countries as far away as Chile and Lithuania. The tactic is repeated with slight variations, but always with the same objective: to obtain money and personal data through emotional manipulation. It is important to be alert to these types of publications. Before making any transaction or sharing personal information, verify the identity of the person or company involved. Remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
