Victoria Vitkovska

MARTIN COUNTY, Fla. — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office said it is actively investigating a series of puppy and kitten adoption scams circulating on Facebook and other online platforms.

Deputies said they have identified at least six victims who paid deposits for animals that were never delivered.

According to detectives, Facebook pages advertising “(breed) puppies/kittens for rehoming and adoption" are created using photos from legitimate breeders, or public profiles, to make the pages appear real.

The accounts are usually new and often post multiple times on the same date, deputies said, and victims are asked to send money up front, then pressured with additional “fees” for transport, boarding, or veterinary care.

In some cases, they threaten that the animal will

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