Oxie Zdnekis pet-found scammer as reported on TV

Raleigh NC

Description

WRAL Troubleshooter recently reported on Craigslist and other scammers who contact people who have lost a pet, looking for reward money, and using photos pulled off the internet. I was contacted by one today, who who did the same thing as reported. His fake name appears as Ocie Zdnek and his opening line is, "I have your pet" with no details of where or how found. Next email asks about reward. When asked for photo, it's pulled off the internet. When asked where found, pulls road name off map in ad. I suggested meeting him at police department to exchange he asks for some money up front then meet, says he is sacred of not getting money. I suggest meeting at his house, either police officer, who will make sure he gets his reward. There is a special place in hell for people who prey off pet owners who have lost a beloved family member. If someone has indeed found your pet, they will likely provide extreme detail on where, when, how they found it, where to puck up, etc. And people who care enough to rescue a lost pet are not people who want rewards up front. In fact, I fear offering a reward might encourage them to steal someone's pet. And holding someone's pet and refuses to give back could be charged with livestock and/orproperty theft under NC law.