HARPER WOODS, Mich. (WXYZ) — A disturbing scam is sweeping across social media, targeting people desperate to find their lost pets. Scammers are contacting owners of missing dogs and demanding ransom payments, while pretending to be from legitimate animal welfare organizations.

Watch Peter Maxwell's video report: Scammers demanding ransom for lost dogs by impersonating animal shelters

The Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society has issued a warning after discovering scammers are impersonating their organization to extort money from worried pet owners.

"This is the perfect storm," said Corinne Martin from the Grosse Pointe Animal Adoption Society.

WXYZ-TV

The scam calls started earlier this week, with at least three people searching for their lost dogs being targeted. One man from Gro

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