How to Avoid Pomeranian Puppy Scams

Why Pomeranians are targeted

Pomeranians are expensive, in demand, and look adorable in stolen photos. Scammers copy pictures from real breeders, write a sympathetic story, set a price a little below market, and wait. The puppy does not exist. The goal is to collect a deposit, then a "shipping fee," then an "insurance fee," for as long as the buyer keeps paying.

The good news is that scams follow a script, and the script has weak points. Here is how to spot them.

1. Insist on a live video call

This is the single most effective test. Photos and pre-recorded videos can be stolen. A live video call cannot be faked easily. Ask the seller to show you the specific puppy, in real time, doing things you ask for:

• Pick the puppy up and turn it around so you can see both sides and the face up close.
• Set the puppy down so you can watch it walk and play.
• Hold up a piece of paper with your name and today's date next to the puppy.
• Show the puppy's littermates or mother if they are on site.

A seller who always has an excuse (bad connection, camera broken, puppy sleeping) is the problem. At Pom Paradise every showing is a live video call on WhatsApp; you can book one here before you commit to anything.

2. Never pay by gift card, crypto, or untraceable transfer

Legitimate sellers do not ask for gift cards, cryptocurrency, or payment apps sent "as a friend" to a stranger. Those methods are chosen because they cannot be reversed. If a seller pushes you toward them, or offers a discount for using them, walk away. Ask for a traceable payment method and keep every receipt and message.

3. Watch for the shipping and insurance upsell

The classic pattern: after you pay the deposit, a "shipping company" contacts you. The puppy is supposedly stuck at the airport and needs a climate-controlled crate, a special insurance policy, a vaccination certificate, or a customs bond, each one urgent and each one refundable "on delivery." None of it is refundable, because none of it is real.

Ask for the complete delivery cost in writing before you pay anything, and treat any surprise fee after payment as a red flag. Our shipping and delivery page explains how delivery actually works with us.

4. Verify the paperwork

Real puppies come with real records. Before paying, ask for:

• Vaccination and deworming records with dates and product names.
• A health certificate from a licensed veterinarian, which is required for most travel.
• Registration or pedigree information for the parents, where applicable.
• A written sale agreement that names the puppy, the seller, and what happens if there is a health problem.

Look for consistency: does the puppy's age on the vet record match the age in the ad? Does the microchip number appear where it should? See health and paperwork for what we provide.

5. Check import rules yourself

Scammers love to invent customs problems because buyers rarely know the real rules. Countries and airlines set specific requirements for bringing in a puppy, such as minimum age, rabies vaccination timing, microchipping, and health certificates. Know them before a stranger tells you what they are. Our import rules page summarizes what to expect for the US, Canada and Mexico, and you can confirm details with the official government agency for your country.

More red flags

• The same puppy photos appear on other websites under different names. A reverse image search takes one minute.
• The seller will not speak on the phone or video, only by text or email.
• The price is far below the normal market range. See our Pomeranian price guide.
• You are pressured to pay today because "another family is interested."
• The story is heavy on emotion: a recent death, a deployment, a move overseas, a puppy that needs a home urgently for free plus shipping.
• The website is brand new, has no physical details, and copies text from other breeders.

If you think you have been scammed

Stop sending money, no matter what you are promised. Save every message, receipt, and the seller's details. Contact your bank or card issuer right away, and report the scam to the consumer protection or fraud reporting agency in your country. Reports help others avoid the same seller.

Meet the puppy first

The safest way to buy a Pomeranian online is to see the actual puppy live before you pay. Look through our available puppies, then book a WhatsApp video call and ask us to show you anything you want to see.