# Pet scam warning from major bank after surge in reports

By Dr Rasha Kassem — 2026-03-31

Dr Rasha Kassem, senior academic and leader of the Fraud Research Group at Aston University, said: “The latest figures from Santander UK highlighting a sharp increase in pet-related fraud illustrate a growing problem within the UK’s wider fraud landscape.

“Losses arising from just under £30,000 in late 2025 to almost £160,000 in the first quarter of 2026 suggest that criminals are increasingly exploiting online marketplaces and social media to target prospective pet owners.

“This trend reflects wider patterns in UK fraud, where high-volume, low-value online offences continue to grow.

“As with most fraud, these figures are likely to understate the true scale due to underreporting.

“A significant proportion of cases originate on social media and online marketplaces, where limited verification and rapid content turnover enable fraudulent listings to be created and scaled quickly.

“Combined with emotionally driven purchasing decisions and high demand for popular breeds, this creates ideal conditions for criminals to operate at low cost and risk.

“While often described as “pet scams”, these incidents are more accurately understood as fraud.

“The term “scam” can unintentionally minimise the seriousness of the offence and shift attention towards victim behaviour rather than criminal conduct.

“In reality, offenders use deliberate deception to induce payments – typically through deposits or fees for animals that do not exist.

“The emotional nature of pet purchases makes this fraud particularly effective.

“Buyers are often motivated by urgency and attachment, which criminals exploit.

“Santander’s data also indicates that certain groups, including women and older consumers, are more frequently targeted, suggesting a degree of victim profiling.

“However, pet fraud is not simply a consumer awareness issue. It reflects broader structural challenges linked to online platforms and the speed at which fraudulent content can be disseminated. Addressing this requires action at multiple levels.

“Advice for the public. Prospective pet owners should take time to verify sellers before making any payment. This includes avoiding upfront deposits, conducting reverse image searches, asking for detailed documentation, and insisting on seeing the animal in person where possible. If a transaction feels rushed or inconsistent, it is safer to walk away.

“Advice for policymakers. Policymakers should strengthen online fraud prevention frameworks by requiring stronger seller verification, improving data sharing between banks, law enforcement and platforms, and supporting public awareness campaigns that frame these incidents as fraud rather than consumer error.

“Advice for practitioners. For practitioners across banking, law enforcement, and online platforms, prevention should focus on early detection and coordinated response. This includes monitoring transaction patterns linked to advance-fee fraud, sharing intelligence on emerging fraud typologies, and working collaboratively to identify and remove fraudulent listings more quickly. Interventions that prevent a payment from being made in the first place remain the most effective defence.

“A shared responsibility. Tackling pet fraud requires a combined effort. Consumers can play a role by remaining alert to warning signs, but prevention cannot rely on vigilance alone. Greater responsibility must sit with platforms, financial institutions and regulators. Recognising these incidents as fraud – not simply scams – is essential to ensuring they receive the attention and coordinated response they require.”

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