Geneva, Illinois – Kane County authorities are warning residents about a rise in animal-related scams targeting online buyers and donors.
According to the Kane County Sheriff’s Office, fraudulent schemes involving pet sales, fake adoption listings, and bogus animal rescue donations are becoming more common across social media platforms and online marketplaces.
Officials said one of the most frequent scams involves fake listings for puppies, dogs, cats, or exotic animals. In many cases, scammers request deposits or full payment upfront for pets that do not exist. Another scheme targets emotional pet owners through “lost pet recovery” scams, demanding payment for information that is often fabricated.
Authorities also warned about fake animal rescue or donation scams, where individuals allegedly pose as charities or animal control representatives seeking money to “save” animals.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasized that residents should never send payments through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency, noting those methods are difficult to trace or recover once sent.
If someone claims to represent Animal Control, officials advise contacting the agency directly using verified contact information. Kane County Animal Control is located at 4060 Keslinger Road in Geneva and can be reached on the official website.
The alert may be especially relevant for students and young adults searching for pets online.
Officials encourage residents to report suspected scams and verify sellers or charities before sending money.
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