Puppy scam: Americans desperate for a canine companion paid for imaginary pups

Google is suing the alleged fake dog breeder, which used the company's Voice and email accounts to perpetrate the fraud

The pandemic sent Americans' demand for pets soaring as a growing number of people sought out a canine companion. Now, Google is going after an alleged fraudster for running a fake puppy scam that exploited people's desire for personal gain".

In the new lawsuit, filed on Monday, the company accused the Cameroon-based defendant of using a network of fake websites, Google Voice phone numbers and Gmail accounts to pretend to sell purebred puppies, including basset hounds and maltipoos, that didn't exist.