Edmonton couple scammed out of $115 after believing fake pet-rescue group found their dog

Clarissa Jobson and her boyfriend Myles consider their 13-year-old dog Stryker their child. Occasionally, like all pets, he gets up to mischief.

Last week, Stryker got out the back door of their Mill Woods home and ran away, something that has happened before. Immediately, fear began to set in that their beloved dog had been eaten by a coyote.

After posting that Stryker was missing on several Edmonton Facebook groups dedicated to lost pets, someone commented about a page they had never heard of: “Sky paw rescue team.”

The group claims to use a drone and a search team to find lost pets. Its posts suggest it has located dogs, cats, and even deer.

Jobson and her boyfriend messaged the page and were asked multiple questions.

“They asked where he went missing, how long, what colour, how old is he, does he respond to whistles or treat bag,” said Clarissa Jobson.

According to Jobson, the detailed questions made the group seem legitimate. While frantically searching the neighbourhood, she continued communicating with the page, though she never saw any search team or drone in her area.

Only a few hours after reaching out late at night, the page said Stryker had been found and was in its care. Some much-needed joy and relief filled the household.

“We jumped off the couch and started messaging them super fast saying, ‘thank you, where was he?’” said Jobson.

The group requested a $100 payment, but asked for it in an Apple gift card. Jobson complied but could only send $25 at first.

Over the next day, messages went back and forth between Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp. The group repeatedly claimed a delivery person would bring the dog to their door, but no one ever arrived. More money was demanded, and out of desperation Jobson agreed. In total, she sent $115 in Apple gift cards.

During the exchanges, “Sky paws” claimed they had lost the dog when he jumped out a car window and they were unable to search for him right away. They also sent photos they claimed were of Stryker in their care, but Jobson realized immediately the dog in the pictures was not him.

After further arguing, one WhatsApp message threatened the dog would be sold.

These moments deepened Jobson’s doubts that “Sky paws” had her dog, or that they operated in Edmonton at all.

“We were very angry,” said Jobson. “We were confused to what was happening. I think we had an idea in our heads we knew. But we were so desperate to find him.”

Stryker was eventually found 18 hours after running away, but not by a drone or a search team. Jobson says a Good Samaritan discovered the frightened dog underneath a car near the Mill Woods Rec Centre, shaking and shivering in the cold.

Consumer protection expert Julie Matthews says scams involving missing pets are becoming more common, though she has never seen one involving drones and a dedicated “search team.” She says anyone contacting you to offer help, and requesting money upfront, should be treated as a “red flag.”

“It’s important for people to understand how convincing these photos and videos can be now,” said Matthews. “We have to stop and double check everything.”

CityNews reached out to the Facebook page, asking whether it is a real business, whether it is located in Edmonton, and whether it could prove it had the dog in its care.

“We don’t scam here we offer our best service here,” said the page in a Facebook message. “I sent here (sic) the picture of her dog the time it was still under my care.”

No picture was sent, and the page did not provide a phone number or agree to an interview.

Jobson plans to file a report with Edmonton police, though getting her $115 back is unlikely.

“You’re cowards, preying on people that are in need, are desperate for help,” said Jobson. “It’s pathetic. It’s absolutely pathetic. It makes me very sad to know there’s people in this world that can do that to other individuals.”