Owners of lost animals are being scammed by bogus vets who use missing pet notices to demand payment for supposed urgent treatment.
The fraud consists of claiming that the animal has been hit by a car and needs surgery or other immediate treatment. The Public Security Police (PSP) have been monitoring this type of crime since last year and have recently recorded new cases, which have also been reported to the Order of Veterinary Doctors.
The president of the Portuguese Veterinary Association, Pedro Fábrica, told TSF that the first complaint was received last week in the region of Santarém and that since then there have been alerts in various parts of the country.
The fraudsters, by accessing contact information and images of the animal through advertisements, simulate emergency situations and demand payment via MB Way, claiming that the animal needs urgent care at a clinic. When the victims try to verify the data or go to the location, the calls are disconnected.
The Order of Veterinary Doctors advises pet owners to check the veracity of the professional via the Order’s official website and to ask for details of the clinic before making any payment.
National Center for the search for lost and found animals