Buckingham woman charged with fraud in puppy scam

By Alex Black

Provincial police are warning residents about making purchases and sending money online. 

According to the Russell Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), a person answered an ad for a puppy on Kijiji back in November and arranged to pay the seller $900.

Police say the money was e-transferred to the seller, but when the buyer tried to arrange to pick up the puppy, the seller claimed to no longer have it and refused to return the money. 

Police spoke to the seller, who assured officers they would return money by mid-December, but police say that didn't happen. 

Briana Cote, 18, of Buckingham, has been charged with:

  • Fraud over $5,000
  • Obtaining by false pretence

She is due in court on January 27, 2021. 

Police are reminding the public to always think twice before sending a stranger money online. 

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