Scammers are trawling lost dog posts on Facebook to blackmail distraught owners

Dog owners are being warned that conmen are posing as dognappers in an effort to scam desperate owners out of thousands.

Experts say the conmen will call distraught owners and demand money - and if the cash is not paid, threatens to slit the poor pup's throat. Claire Gresty, who is based in Bolton and is Dog Lost’s north west coordinator and police liaison, says the practice is a 'money roller'.

The conman making the scam calls is so prolific that Claire now recognises his voice. She has also told LancsLive that some dogs have been stolen at knife point.

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“I speak to this person on a regular basis as he knows I’m the Dog Lost coordinator in the north west," Claire said. “Some owners have paid thousands of pounds to him and they genuinely believe he’s got their dog. He poses as a dognapper - we all know his voice - and he pretends to have their dogs, saying things like, pay £500 now or I will slit your dog’s throat.”

“Dog theft can be very traumatic and some owners’ lives are never the same again. I really feel for them as it’s the not knowing for them. If your dog has passed away, you can grieve for them, but these owners are left wondering what conditions their dogs might be left in. Have they been used for bait, or have they been kept in cages for breeding? It literally traumatises them.”

In a post on Dog Lost’s Facebook page, the group said: “Please be vigilant when advertising your pets for sale. Scammers are contacting owners and offering the perfect home for your pet. They are sending money through a fraudulent banking app, and will show you the money has been transferred. You will NOT receive this payment. They are using fake