The scam began with a phone call that the family described as very believable.
ST. LOUIS — A new scam is targeting families who have lost a pet, claiming the pet is injured and needs money for surgery.
Gina Foell and her wife said their cat Riley has been missing since the end of January.
“We've been posting everywhere we can. We do a foot search every night with flashlights. We called for her and got her food, a bed (and) a toilet.” Anything that might help them get home. We've tried them all,” Foell said.
A few weeks later, someone suddenly called and told her that Riley had been found.
“Four days ago, around 3 p.m., I received a call from a man who said he had a cat. The cat was brought to CARE STL, and a good Samaritan found the cat on Jamison Street, where it had been hit by a car. “I needed emergency surgery to repair my shoulder blade. (It) was causing paralysis, and I had to make an immediate deposit via Apple Pay,” Foell said.
Foell said the call was very specific and $540 was transferred within minutes.
A few hours later, after exchanging emails with a man calling himself Jack Richardson, they went to CARE STL, only to find out it was a scam and the shelter had no cats. .
“Who would imagine that someone so evil would prey on people in such a vulnerable moment? To take it further and try to demand more money is just ridiculous.” said Foer.
CARE STL Executive Director Abby Atteberry said the entire situation was upsetting.
“We don't want people to impersonate CARE and act like they're doing things that are not best practices and are not how we would handle the situation,” Atteberry said.
Atteberry said she wants others to know that she will never request payment over the phone or via email.
“We will never ask someone to send money without coming to the shelter to identify their pet. We will discuss any costs that may have to be paid,” Atteberry said. he said.
But even after all this, Foell said their focus remains the same.
“I just want the family to be reunited. I want the cat to be returned home safely,” Foell said.
Foell said Riley was a very sweet cat who went missing from the 5400 block of Lindenwood Avenue.
“She's a gray tabby cat. She has a slight brownish-reddish tinge. She's 12 years old and well fed. She has a neon yellow collar with a tile tip on it. She was inside, but her battery was dead so we couldn't track her location,” Foell said.
If you find or meet Riley, please email the family at bf.gt.2016@gmail.com.
Atteberry said if you receive a call like this, be sure to verify the information with the rescue, shelter, or veterinary clinic that allegedly called you.
At the bottom of the CARE STL website, CARE STL's email address and phone number are listed, as well as the cats and dogs available for adoption.
The family is in the process of filing a police report, but said they have discovered that someone using the same name has committed similar acts in other states.
If you receive a call like this, please report it to the police immediately.
