As the world is getting wiser to their money scams, these scammers in Africa have started to target dog lovers in the US.

The Los Angeles Times reported that these scammers lure victims with online ads featuring pictures of cute English bulldog puppies that somehow got stuck in West Africa and are in need of good homes.

The puppies are free, but anyone who responds soon finds out there are shipping fees.

And if those are paid, money is needed for customs. Then shots.

Then whatever else occurs to the scammer based in Nigeria.

Some of the victims have written to the paper.

'I think this scam is happening to me,' Ms Hanriet Pari wrote.

'I have sent US$250 ($382)for the dog to be shipped to me,' she wrote. 'Then US$525 for insurance and other things, and now they want US$140 for a health thing.

'Please help me.'

WARNINGS

The only help that the newspaper could offer was to advise her to not send any more money.

There are no puppies coming. Ever.

On closer examination, it was found that even the photos of the puppies did not belong to the scammers. They are usually lifted from legitimate websites.

Mr Dan Landis, a cargo agent for Delta Air Lines in Seattle, said he had seen several such cases.

'I have had to deal with this several times recently,' he wrote.

People arrive at the airport to pick up their new dog and instead go from 'cargo warehouse to cargo warehouse trying to find out if their puppy is there'.

In the end, he wrote, there is only 'a lot of tears'.

Ms Lacie Thompson was lured by an ad for a puppy available for a US$150 'adoption fee' plus US$80 shipping. It was being offered by a woman named Ashley who said she had traveled from Fresno to Cameroon and now had to find the puppy a home.

'Is she not your dream baby?' Ashley wrote to Ms Thompson.

Apart from tugging at the heart-strings by referring to the pups as babies, these scammers know that the pups on offer were highly-prized ones.

Those who got the mail would know that English bulldog puppies are highly valued. They can cost about US$3,000.

'I wanted to believe it was true,' Ms Thompson wrote.

Ms Carmen Molina of La Puente answered an ad and received a response from 'Rev. Vicky Duron' who thanked the 'living Lord', that a home had been found for her two 'babies' suffering in the climate of West Africa.

Shipping was only US$600.

'I can't believe they use God's name to make this kind of dirty business,' wrote Ms Molina. 'Now I know that it's better to pay more, but I'll get the real thing.'

One reader blamed the US government agencies for not offering more protections.

'The government is worthless,' he declared. Another suggested the US 'suspend any kind of trade with Nigeria.'

Yeah, except we need the oil.

One reader decided to do something about it. Ms Darlene Dean of Georgia keeps scanning websites and when she spots a suspicious ad, she reports them to the newspaper and asks them to be removed.

She also has a message for anyone wanting a dog.

'With all the dogs in shelters,' she wrote, 'why anyone would wire money to another country and request a pet sight unseen is beyond me.'