Scam website: www.BengalFriendly.com
As a dedicated breeder, I have heard countless stories over the years of victims falling for fake websites selling Bengals. Scammers steal photos from websites like ours and then use those photos to fool innocent people into sending money only to find out they will never receive such kitten. Some scammers have even become elaborate enough to provide shipment tracking numbers and then demand additional money for the transporter to purchase a crate and or airfare. If the price of the kitten is too good to be true, well... it probably is. The average price for a Bengal kitten from an ethical breeder is $1500 - $3000. Anything less than that without a very reasonable explanation, is a red flag and trying to bait you for your money. Think about it, is $600 really worth your time and energy to go through the stress of reporting and pursuing the court system months on end? This is why they list lower prices, because they're relying on you to give up, and now it's time to fight back by bringing awareness on how to protect yourself from thieves.
Due to the large influx of scammers stealing our photos, we've decided to list each known fake website to our knowledge below. When contacting a real breeder you should be able to do a video chat, or contact their vets office to verify they're an active client of theirs, and or have them provide genetic test results of the parents. I cannot stress how important just doing genetic testing on the parents is, there are very real often hidden diseases that can cause your kitten to develop blindness, anemia, etc. Support preservation breeders that can provide you with hard copies of their health screenings.
Help stop online fraud websites:
Check the website's registration history, you can do so at: https://who.is
Scammer website are often newly made and less than a year old. Once you know which company hosts the website, you can report it directly to them. You can also contact Google as well.
The FBI has an Internet Crime Complaint Center with an online report option at: https://www.ic3.gov/Home/ComplaintChoice/default.aspx
Do NOT purchase kittens directly on Craigslist, Facebook, Instagram, etc. Most reputable breeders refrain from communicating on social media platforms and usually operate through their own personal website and or in person at local cat shows. Facebook is currently running rampant with online scammers and despite our numerous attempts to shut them down, Facebook allows it to continue. They often highjack legitimate profiles, rename them, turn off commenting, and create private groups to lure victims.
Fake Websites:
Submitted by a scam victim:
Scam Catteries:
"SamsBengals58.com"
& Standardfeline012.com
SCAM WEBSITE:
www.deluxecattery.com
SCAM WEBSITE:
https://adorablebengalshomes.com/available-kittens
ZARA-FEMALE Photo is ours and stolen from our website.
Scammers:
Photos below were stolen from our website
Scam Cattery: TabbyBengals.com aka LittleBengals.com
SCAM WEBSITE:
www.peacehomebengalkittens.com
Photos are stolen from Wild N' Sweet Bengals in Canada
Submitted by a scam victim:
Scam Cattery "Glorious Sphynx Kittens"
https://glorioussphynxkittens.com/available-kittens/
Submitted by a scam victim:
Scam Cattery "Affectionate Bengal Breeders"
https://affectionatebengalbreeders.net/bengal-kittens
Confirmed stolen photos
Submitted by a scam victim:
Scam Cattery "Star Bengals" aka
"Gorgeous Bengals"
THESE PROFILES ARE NOT LIBERTY BENGALS / JESSICA & MICHAEL PETRAS
A scammer has stolen our names and made fake profiles and groups on facebook to bait innocent people. We will NEVER ask you for money on social media and ONLY use the following email address: LibertyBengals@gmail.com