Livestock / Horse-Sale Wire Fraud
A horse, cattle, or other livestock is offered at a good price by an 'out of area' seller who wants a wire deposit or full payment before you can see the animal.
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What this scam is
High-value animals like horses or cattle are advertised at attractive prices by a seller who is conveniently far away or 'relocating,' asking for a wire deposit or full payment to hold or ship the animal sight-unseen, sometimes via a fake escrow or transport service. The animal doesn't exist or isn't theirs; once you wire funds, they disappear. Inspecting livestock in person (or via a trusted local vet) and avoiding wire prepayment protect buyers.
What it usually looks like
- Livestock at a good price from a distant/relocating seller.
- A wire deposit or full payment before viewing.
- A fake escrow or transport service.
- Reasons you can't see the animal in person.
Common warning signs
- Wire prepayment for livestock sight-unseen.
- Out-of-area sellers who can't meet.
- Escrow chosen by the seller.
- Prices below market.
Example wording scammers use
“Registered mare, must sell before my move — wire the deposit and I'll arrange transport.”
“Pay via the shipping company's escrow and the cattle ship to you.”
These are illustrative examples written by ScamSplain, not real messages.
What the scammers want
- Wire payments for a nonexistent animal.
- To exploit distance and rarity.
- Irreversible transfers.
What to do
- Inspect livestock in person or via a trusted local vet before paying.
- Avoid wire prepayment and seller-chosen 'escrow.'
- Verify the seller and the animal independently.
- Be wary of below-market, must-sell-fast deals.
What to do if you already responded
- Contact your bank to attempt a wire recall.
- Report to the platform and BBB.
- Report to ic3.gov and reportfraud.ftc.gov.