Lost pets scam

Factual Questions
1

My wife shared a post from [County] Yard Sale on Facebook (we’re not members of that group), about a found dog that was ‘literally freezing to death’ and had a leg injury. It had a service animal medallion, but no collar or chip. I shared the post to [County] Animals Lost and Found, and someone pointed out that it’s a scam.

  • The post didn’t have enough details (e.g., location)
  • Comments for the post were turned off
  • The poster joined the Yard Sale group today

Of course I deleted my share, and so did she.

She’d also shared a ‘lost dog’ post. Poor autistic kid lost his pup. I didn’t share that one. Instead, I clicked on the post. Again, no location or circumstances; comments turned off; [the different] poster joined the Yard Sale group today; and I looked at the profile and the poster gave her address as one in Michigan. Why would someone in Michigan post in NW Washington? Also, the ‘lost dog’ post was the only post on her timeline.

So here’s the question: What is the scam?

2

From the Better Busness Bureau:

The Connecticut Better Business Bureau sought to warn Facebook users about a scam that involves users sharing posts about injured or lost pets, or missing children.

After users share the post, a scammer changes the original post to a deceptive rental ad or a link that points to a survey that “guarantees” a cash prize.

Now, those users’ friends think they have recommended that now-sketchy content.

3

They basically do a bait and switch on the ad. You see the add and share it. after it has been shared a number of times the scammer edit the ad to one for a phony rental or a survey. because you shared the ad your friends think it is genuine.

Facebook pet scam

4

Thank you.

5

“They say it was so hot downtown this afternoon, grown men on the street corner were going up to cops, begging the cops to shoot them…”

Stranger

6

Trapeze act.

7

This is the main thing to look for. Posts missing children are woefully scant on details - the exact opposite of what you would expect.