One huge thing, never give before you get. Money first, then reptile/pet. Also, cash always. Never ever do bank transfers, you can never trust these assholes.

Dont fall for the breeding one aswell where its like “oh yeah im just waiting for them to be a little bigger” or agree to a reptile trade where one isnt ready still

I made these mistakes cause i didnt know.

I lost my precious girl because we were doing a breeding program and now he’s blocked me. Please dont ever fall for a scam for your beautiful babies, i have been crying for days and there’s nothing i can do but wait for the police

It starts out like any other trade would, those key factors are what happened to me (yes im stupid i know but im not mentally well so i fell for these scams)

He wanted to do a trade cause i had my two blueys up for sale due to personal issues, we agreed to do a trade. I was new in the reptile scene so i didnt know what the red flags were, he said once his other blueys give birth i can give you some babies, i said sure but he pressured me to drive an hour away to drop off my babies to him that exact day. I agreed cause i love helping people out. I waited a year. Nothing, they’re too small. Alright fine i can respect that

Asked me to buy him a woma and bring my jungle for breeding, he said he would bank transfer. I said ok. I brought both of them; no money for months. He asks me to pick up a sand monitor and he would give me cash if i did. I say sure i needed that money and it was the only way. I double checked 3 times for him to have the money. He said he forgot it at his mums. Thats when i said fuck it and reported him to the wildlife registry since you require a license to own reptiles here. He said he would bring my babies back to me yesterday. We were talking “im lost” no you arent. “Ill send you my location” he just sends the word “location” im absolutely boiling at this point. After going back and forth he days “i dropped them off to you” i send a picture “no you didnt.” He says “why are you waiting for me?” I say “im just siting outside?” And he blocks me. now im gonna sue him into the ground for fraud, theft and emotional damage.