Paisley con artist robbed dog lovers of cash with fake puppy adverts

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Renfrewshire crook who stole money from dog lovers with fake puppy adverts has escaped a jail sentence. Lauren O’Neill posted adverts online of dogs and puppies for sale and accepted deposits and full payments before sending buyers to random addresses to collect their “new pet”.However, when the buyers turned up at these properties, there were no puppies, the householders were totally unaware and their cash was never returned.The procurator fiscal depute yesterday told Paisley Sheriff Court: “On October 19, 2023, the complainer saw an advert for dogs and puppies for sale for £400.“A name of Brian Jensen and a contact number was provided on the advert.

The complainer used the number and spoke to a male who stated he would send a video of the pups on WhatsApp.“The video was sent and the complainer agreed to transfer £200 as a deposit to the bank of O’Neill.

The male provided an address in Eastriggs [Dumfriesshire] for where the pups were and asked for the remainder of the money to be transferred.“The remaining £200 was transferred on the same day.

The complainer then attended at the address given by the male and the occupants were completely unaware of the sale of any dogs or pups.“The complainer contacted the male asking for a refund and he was told to ‘f**k off’.