Volusia County couple targeted by scammers while searching for lost dog

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. —

A Volusia County couple searching for their lost dog faced a scam attempt but were reunited with their pet days later.

Bill Cosens said he and his wife were out when their dogs escaped through a backyard fence. He said this had happened before, and the dogs usually returned, but one of them, Archer, did not come back.

The couple spent hours searching for Archer and eventually posted photos of him online along with their phone number. They later received a call claiming their dog had been hit by a car and needed money for vet bills.

When the couple asked for proof, they were sent photos of Archer on an operating table. However, details in the photos, such as the wrong collar and an incorrect date, did not match. The caller requested nearly $3,000 through Zelle, and the couple realized they were being scammed.

Thankfully, they did not send the money and reported the incident. The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is now warning residents to remain cautious and not believe everything, even in desperate situations.

In the end, a neighbor saw Archer and returned him to the couple days later.

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