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Puppy Scam

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Puppy Scam Reports & Reviews (605)

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA
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This is a “rescue” group on Facebook. I contacted them about an advertised dog for adoption. I paid $400 up front. Then I was contacted by a “transport company” who told me I needed to rent a special shipping crate for $250 and a tranquilizer for $50. I got in touch with the administrator, Paula Love, who told me this was legitimate, so I paid the fee. Once again I was contacted by the transporter that I needed to purchase insurance for $1000. At that point, I didn’t feel the purchase was on the up and up, so I pulled my adoption application and requested a refund. All my inquiries have been ignored.

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- Marathon, FL, USA
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Text received:Hello Darlene, Simon here from Fallow Field Schnauzers texting about your interest on our male mini schnauzer puppy Winston. We're in Pittsburgh PA and we ship our puppies throughout the United States. The cost to ship Winston to FL is 200$ and he will be accompanied by a chaperone. We have our puppies flown throughout the United States. And they are always accompanied by chaperones. We don't have social media pages

We accept Venmo, chime and Amex e-gift card

The total payment is 900 and he comes first sets of shots and dewormings

Puppy is very healthy

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- Metairie, LA, USA
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On November 14th, Christine Rosenfield posted that she had Whippet puppies that would be available for adoption around Christmas time. This was posted to the "Whippet puppies for rehoming and adoption," Facebook group. The Administrator, Tracey Egan, made a post to her post saying that she reputable and they have confirmed that she does have puppies available. I sent Christine a message through Facebook Messenger and she responded. She said that she was asking $650 for the puppy, with a $250 deposit that would be applied to the cost. One Nov 14th, she sent me the contract. I signed the contract. She asked for me to send her the deposit via Zelle. I told her that I don't have Zelle, but could send it via Cashapp. She gave me her daughter's Cashapp ($Felicia20033) to send the money to, but it wouldn't work. Her daughter's name is Lashay Black. Then she asked me to send the money to her husband's Cashapp, Larry Middleton ($LarryMiddleton91). It worked and Larry reviewed the $250 deposit. Nov 25th, Christine sent me pictures of the dog and an update of his health. She asked if I wanted the dog neutered. I told her no. On Nov 27th, she asked me to send her husband $120 via Cashapp for the ownership document fee, which would be deducted from my balance due. I paid the fee and then later that night she me the document to sign. The document didn't look legitimate and my address was incorrect. When I told her about my address she wrote back, "My bad." and then few mins. later sent me back the document with the address corrected. The supposed Federal document was changed at 10:30pm ??? Some red flags about the document: Name of the agency at the top doesn't exist, although the second agency name does, the color of the seal, the name of the doctor, the owner's signature isn't the same, the quick turn around to correct my address, the weird dollar at the top corner, I'm pretty sure that the agency documents imports, not domestic pets, etc. The document is attached, as is the initial contract. Nov 28th, I sent her a text on Messenger to request to see the dog this week. She said Friday at 10:30Am. I asked her if she could make it 11:30 or 12 and to also send me the address of where to meet. No response has been received. This morning, I checked Messenger for a response, it says, "This person is unavailable on Messenger." I checked for her profile on Facebook, she no longer has a profile. I then checked for the Whippet puppies for rehoming and adoption Facebook group, it no longer exists as well. I sent an email to the address that she has been communicating with me [email protected] . I have received no response. The address she used [email protected] 1006 W La Rua St., Pensacola, FL 32501 Ph. 646-598-9769

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- Montgomery, TX, USA
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It was a website offering the sale of a specific breed of dog (viszla) with pictures of puppies for "sale", and I contacted them about a puppy and they immediately asked me to make a down payment of $500. I asked to facetime the dog and get videos of the dog. The phone number that was given to me did not match up with the owner name on the website, and the paypal information that was sent to me also did not match up with either name. They refused to allow me to facetime the dog until I paid them. Once I stated that I would pay them after the facetime to see if the dog was real they stopped responding to me.

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- Solon, OH, USA
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Purchased a puppy from a person on facebook who identified as a dog breeder and was a memember of a facebook group dedicated to adopting puppies. exchanged messages via messenger then sent money via cash app and the seller disappeared.

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- Cleveland, OH, USA
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Saw an advertisement on facebook for this woman who was selling puppies and I saw she was mutual friends with one of my friends on facebook. I reached out to her and she told me she would register the dog to the AKC. I cash APP'd her $250 and then she told me the dog was registered and even sent papers. When I was getting ready to pick up the dog she wanted an additional $300 up front before our meeting. All of our communication was done on messanger. It felt fishy so I called the AKC and the woman who was trying to sell me the dog has never registered a dog before. Her facebook says she lives in Madison or Painesville and works at Milrose Manufacturing and Eagle Head Manufacturing.

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- Acworth, GA, USA
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Scammer said he was selling puppies and had a website showing all the dogs. We made arrangements to purchase one and sent $800 through Zelle to a person named "HOLLEY TARYN" for the dog. They then said they were flying to puppy out through the company UShipRoyal. But then the shipping company started requesting money. They said they needed $1700 for the crate for the flight. We refused and searched the internet for other instances of this. We found this article for the exact same issue: https://news.yahoo.com/ohio-couple-tricked-thousands-dollars-195634272.html. We went to the shipper's site (https://ushiproyal.com/contact-us/) and is has been seize by the FBI. We provided the original seller "Ken Morgan" (other information provided on previous screens) with our Name, email, phone, and address.

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- Newport News, VA, USA
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Exchanged emails and texts about a transaction for getting a Maltipoo puppy. They provided very detailed email messages. We placed 700 dollar deposit. I have copies of the exchanges.

BBB notes: If you feel you are a victim of an online pet  or pet  transportation scam, ScamPulse.com encourages you to file a complaint and/or customer review at www.bbb.org/Norfolk, with the Virginia Attorney General's office at https://www.oag.state.va.us/consumer-protection/index.php/file-a-complaint, as well as report your experience to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov and the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov.

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- Topeka, KS, USA
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We wanted 2 pomeranian puppies he said he wanted a deposit we zelled 200 each dog was 500 so we needed 800 more said he would send them free but looked up site not good tried to call no answer no more response

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- Buffalo, NY, USA
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I contacted this “business” called Highland Chihuahua for information on the selected dog. At the beginning the answered my emails fast however never answered anything I ask them and only what they wanted. I ask for pictures that were sent but they never send a video which I ask for as well. I ask If I could give a deposit to hold it and send the amount of $350 to a lady named Kyrie Paraharm thru Zelle, they received the money thru their bank Wells Fargo and resend it back to me so I can send it again this time thru CashApp and to another person first he said Craig Hall I was not able to find him so he told me to send it to his partner named Jeff Hall. After that when I was going to make the hole payment the disappeared for 3 days without no response to my emails at all. When they responded I was already disappointed because not even an apology was made and I lost trust and felt speculative on all this and told them to please give me an evidence of a plane ticket issued because the dog needed to be shipped to me so I could send the rest of the money. They told me that they will not issue a flight ticket that supposedly the issue the day before they will shipped to you until the hole payment is done. I clarified and asked for the return of my deposit immediately as I was not interested in keeping with the purchase. They email back stating that they will be contacting me and called me privately don’t understand why because they have all my info as I have all their information as well. It’s been 4 days and I have not received any response at my email o phone. I had search this phone number and could see that there is other complaints I guess they change their business name and names I would like this business to be investigated and help other not to get scammed like me.

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- Detroit, MI, USA
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This is a website that selling Yorkshire terrier puppies. You give them your contact information and somebody text messaged us about the puppy, asked us to send payment on Zelle said we could come and get her or they could ship her to us, assured us that the shipping was incredibly safe, the next day we get a text message from a pet delivery service stating that she needed a special crate to be delivered in and it was gonna cost us $1500. I gave them a partial payment as the "breeder" said they would cover the other amount and good to go for shipping even have a tracking number for her flight, but have now been completely ignored in both cell numbers and emails from the delivery courier. 814-543-5040, 814-975-0135. I had a friend inquire about another puppy supposedly the one I paid for already and they told her she was available still. I am reporting it with local authorities.

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- Spring, TX, USA
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I was in the market for buying a puppy and I got scammed for it. They send me a fake tracking website and said that my puppy was on hold in Oklahoma and that in order to get him out I needed to pay $400 in insurance fee that was “refundable”. They said they were in collaboration with USPS for the delivery but could not provide a tracking number for usps.

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- Chiefland, FL, USA
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I put a search in for mini dachshund puppies in florida.

https://harvarettdachshundpuppies.com/available-puppies/ is one of the sites that i looked on and communicated with, within this site response link. (email?). In doing this i selected a puppy filled out the other information and i received information about payment. I don't remember the exact names but pretty much wanted me to put money on a gift card to pay with. I remember $150.00 of payment was specified for shipping.

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- Atlanta, GA, USA
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Zelle payment for puppy with photos and video; would not release health records or AKC papers

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- Seaford, DE, USA
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Facebook group showing boxers for sale, responded via messenger; showed puppy options; had to give money to reserve puppy; decided to have puppy delivered. On day of delivery the delivery company contacted via text message and needed additional funds for transport for a crate, for insurance, for special stamps--all refundable charges per the delivery person. Had to use cash or paypal for all transactions, could not use a credit card. Once all of those funds were delivered they said the puppy was en route; then texted that the puppy was sick and needed to be vaccinated and that would cost an additional $700 which the breeder would pay part and we would owe $300. At that point as we had nothing showing the puppy and had already sent a lot of money that we did not expect to owe we told them to send us the puppy or refund the money; they refused to do either.

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- Tampa, FL, USA
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I found "Happy" online at the Border Collies Ranch website. I was contacted by someone calling himself Thomas Richmond and said he would ship the dog from Oklahoma for $1,000 total. He needed me to sign an agreement. After some reverse imaging online of the dog and finding his story about getting a border collie at age 10 named Liam I realized this was a scam. I told him it was and why was he saying there located in Oklahoma. He said it was an auto-correct that he is in Colorado, He said he's a Christian and would never do that to anyone and someone must have stolen his website materials but he is legit. After 2 more days of him explaining there was no risk because I didn't have to give the Apple Pay (Apple Cash) until I received the shipping confirmation. I told him I wanted to FaceTime with the dog and so he called me and let me see the puppy running around for a few seconds with what looked like to be the dad from the photos and then we had a bad connection. I signed the agreement and he sent the shipping confirmation and everything seemed legit. I called the shipping company GF Shipping (Oklahoma City, OK) but no one answered and there was just a regular voicemail beep no company message. I was just about to go ahead and go through the transaction but I decided to send a message to the Apple Pay phone number he gave for his financial cashier? I asked if they were the cashier for Border Collie Ranch and they said no. Thomas or whoever he is called me 10 more times telling to go ahead and make the payment. Please don't be fooled by this scam!

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- Crystal Lake, IL, USA
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This is Jerry Walker the breeder of the Australian shepherd puppies. I am writing in regards to your interest in our puppy Wiggle . I emailed you some pictures and information about Wiggle did you receive it?

I did!

I just responded :)

Thank you for responds am really impressed. We are located in Marshall Missouri. Is there anything else you will like to know about Wiggle?

I have kids, they are great with dogs but are there any signs of concerns with her and kids?

Wiggle is very playful with kids and other pets.

With no delay, I’ll be needing the following information from you so that I can immediately start working on all necessary paperworks of Wiggle.

-Full Names

-Email

-Phone Number

-House Address

-Closest airport to your house

Perfect!

We are by O'Hare, Midway or Milwaukee, whichever is best! Do you meet halfway? I don't know if Springfield, IL is half way or not

Thanks for the information. We accept payments via Zelle and Cashapp for easy confirmation and refunding of your money incase you change your mind. Which of these are you familiar with?

Zelle

Do you want delivery or pickup?

Do you meet halfway for pick up, like in Springfield?

I always do meetups but the moment I can't because my car has some issues.

What day are you thinking? Is Wiggle ready right now?

Wiggle is ready now. Here is the Zelle info where you will be making the payments.

Email: [email protected]

Name: Christian Goode

Memo: Wiggle

Please send a confirmation screenshot of the payments so I can attach to the sales contract showing I received money from you.

Sorry I have to ask as I've been scammed in the past, why do I send to Christian instead of to Jerry Walker?

What's the delivery process?

Am sorry to hear that but my Zelle is currently on limit that’s the reason why. The Delivery procedure for her to your location will be quite easy and non-stressful delivery for her. We ship from the best reputable animal travel professionals who understand the sophisticated needs and method entailed to get her flown with care, utmost safety and security which is our number one priority, she is crate trained and she’ll travel without any problem. A pet nanny will be on board to ensure she is 100% sound and healthy right up to delivery point at your location.Also once I get Toot registered at the agency they will contact you with a tracking number which you can track and know the actual location of your puppy including the departure and arrival time of the puppy.

Do you know if it will be driven or flown?

He will be Flown.

Ok what's the breakdown of the cost and how much is needed to be Zelled as a deposit

The full amount has to be paid before I get Wiggle delivered to you.

Ok we are leaning towards driving to get her but we will have to figure out when

Okay

So do want to pay for the deposit now and the rest when you pick up?

That's what I'm thinking right now

We were supposed to get a puppy yesterday for pick up but were scammed. So my kids are ready for a puppy but I'm nervous coming of a scam too

So lots of emotions going on over here ??

I am a legitimate business person and will never take advantage over my clients.

Ok let me talk to my husband again. We just chatted real quick over lunch

From a delivery perspective, how soon could she be delivered

I can get her delivered to you tomorrow.

That's awesome! Would we pick up at the airport?

Also a little silly question, when is her birthday?

I can make arrange for them to deliver to your house or rather still you pickup at the airport

1st March 2023

Ok at it would $950

Yes correct.

Would we be able to get her delivered to the house?

Yes I can get her delivered to your house.

Ok I think I'm finally all out of question ?? we will Zelle later tonight

Okay hoping to hear from you soon

Ok my husband just Zelled

Thanks. I'll be getting Wiggle delivered tomorrow right?

Yes that works!

Okay please give sometime to work on the sales contract.

Ok

I emailed you the sales contract.

Item 5 says Dino, not Wiggle

Sorry about the I just corrected the error.

No problem, just sent the signed document

Okay.

Do you have an ETA for Wiggle yet? My kids didn't want to go to school today to wait haha

Good morning Kate

I'll be heading to the agency soon. I'll let you know once am done.

Sounds good! Thank you!

Hi there I just got Wiggle registered at the agency. They will email you soon.

Yay! Thank you for the update!

The carrier is rejecting your crate?

Yeah they are saying you need to rent a crate before they can proceed.

I sent them payment but they are saying they don't have it so if they refuse to ship Wiggle, I might have to do a refund

They won't refuse if you sent the payments. Did you send them a confirmation screenshot of the payments?

They're refusing to send her

They are saying they haven't received the money yet and you don't want to send them a screenshot.

I sent it and I don't understand why they need a screenshot for money sent if it's fully refundable

I don't know why they are acting like this, at this point, if you can work it out with them, great. If not, then let's start the return process for Wiggle

You're acting wired. Why would you not send them a confirmation screenshot if you did send the payments?

Send me the screenshot I'll sent it to them they will verify again from their end and Wiggle will be out for delivery.

They wanted me to send to a personal account at first, then they say their credit card site is down and their website is a .buzz

If you don't want me to return, if you want to put down the fully refundable deposit, then let's do that

It's weird that you dropped off a puppy in a carrier that is apparently not safe to fly in so I can get another puppy that's like 2 hours from my house.

I did pay them via Zelle when I was getting Wiggle registered. They told me their credit card website is under maintenance.

I can't not refund you. The issue is coming from you end.

If you did pay the crate fee why not prove that to them so they can go on with your delivery?

Why can't you refund me? You didn't provide an approved crate. If you don't want to refund me, then you can use the money I sent you to secure a create. If you don't want to to do that, then refund me.

Why didn't you provide a proper crate?

I had not idea it will be rejected and moreover the crate wasn't involved in our agreement.

I thought you said you shipped puppies before? I sent you $950, why can't you use that money to put down the fully refundable deposit?

I am currently at the hospital with my sick son. I spent everything already I don’t have up to that amount left on me I would have done that. I only have $300 on me right now.

I will just call the police at this point then

The company said the breeders can put a deposit down as well

I can have the $300 sent to them and you complete.

If you want to deal with them, that's fine. I told them to reach out to you to handle

Meaning you lied you sent crate money. Calling the police won't implicate me because our agreement say you will take full responsibilities of Wiggle.

I recalled the payment already

I Will have the $300 sent to them and you complete the payments.

I don't have possession of Wiggle and that's when I become the legal owner

You're already the new and legal owner of Wiggle. All the paperworks with them shows you're the new owner of Wiggle.

Nope not how that goes. Also says I will be getting Wiggle today and you aren't fulfilling that part either

All this isn't necessary at the moment. The issue is the crate. Do I send them the $300 and you complete the rest?

If you want to ensure that I get Wiggle, I will happily accept her. Her cage is ready, her toys are ready, her food is ready.

You will definitely get Wiggle. That I can guarantee you.

The problem is I only have $300.

I gave you $950 last night, not even 12 hours ago

I spent already at the hospital. I have a sick son who is suffering from cancer.

Sorry to hear that but maybe the $300 will be enough for them to send Wiggle since you have a business relationship with them

They won't let me.

Where is Wiggle now?

With them at the agency.

What's the address?

She is the airport, Marshall Odell municipal airport.

Can you refund me the $300 and do the rest later?

There's no puppy there

Wiggle is there with them. They are a private pet delivery agency and have their own planes that they use for delivery.

I just called the airport, there is no puppy there

Wiggle is right there with them.

The airport said no puppy was dropped off today

Have you refunded my Zelle yet?

Not yet I already sent it to them.

I want the Zelle back today

Can you get them to send her in the crate you provided?

I told i told you earlier I can not refund you because the issue is coming from your end.

I will let the police handle then

You didn't provide the right crate and refuse to make it right. I want a refund

We had a deal and a crate wasn't part of the deal.

Where should I send the police to get the puppy?

You have my house address

You said Wiggle is at the agency, where is she?

At the agency but the cops can come to my house. I am not afraid of that we had a deal.

What time should I send them?

I'll be leaving the hospital soon. I'll let you know when am home

Ok

What address should I send them to?

1690 S Redman Ave, Marshall, MO 65340

That's not a farm

Who will be at the residence that I should tell them to talk to

My wife and kids.

Names?

Eline Walker

What time should I have them arrive?

In 2hours

I want the police to get her now, what is the address of the agency

I sent it to you already.

The agency address

What is the agency address?

I send that to you already I don't know you asking me

Wiggle is at the airport with them

You never sent the agency address and no one at the airport says Wiggle is there

I want the police to get her from the agency address

The can’t get her. Wiggle will soon be registered as an abandoned dog. Please let me be I’ll figure out a way to get my puppy back. I hate clients who fake their love for my puppies

This is a scam and you've been reported to the FBI already

Suit yourself. I am waiting for them at my address since y'all take legitimate breeders for scams. You even lied you had paid for the crate when you didnt

You aren't legit, refund my money if you are so legitimate

I paid and retracted because it was a scam as well

Then why did you buy from us?

I thought you were legit yesterday, not today

How did you even get to know us. I taught you where recommended by someone who already purchased a dog from us

Never said that, getting your victims mixed up

Refund the money if you are a real business

Real businesses refund all the time

We won't refund the problem is you not us

So now you think you can take my "property"

As you called it

What makes you think you can keep "my" dog now?

I wanted to meet in Springfield but your car wasn't working but seems to be fine today

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- Delmont, PA, USA
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“My Harrison Maltipoo Family” Claimed to be a reputable teacup maltipoo breeder. Found their website on internet. I filled out application/interest form. They contacted me first via text message from cell number (304) 438-9072. They then said contact them only via email. They sent me email with 1 video and 4 pictures of puppy we were interested in purchasing. I asked for them to arrange a live/real time virtual call with me so I could see the puppy. They constantly avoided the question and answered other questions. I asked them to provide a valid address and phone number in Cody, WY and told them i would fly out to see the puppy in person first and pay for them in person. All communication ended after that. After searching ScamPulse.com scam tracker site, I found several pet scam cases for maltipoos where the company name was very similar and dollar amount $700 - $900. Scammer just changed the family name on website. Wallace and Weis were previous names used in scam.

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- Miami, FL, USA
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Scammer was in contact with me for the first day and sent images of the pups that seemed real. Then talked about sister needing money and asked for more money and was very persistent. When the day came around for us to meet I never received another reply and phone calls didn’t go through.

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- Elko, NV, USA
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This person tried adding more and more onto flight fees. The puppy was only $500. I already got my Rottweiler and he’s the sweetest. I have screenshots of everything. I felt like a fool, however after seeing and reading about this happening a lot, I realized that I’m not the only one here who has this happen to them. This did happen on 9/1/2019. I did tell him I wanted my money back and he seemed to not care. I have phone numbers, emails

, my transactions. I’ve got my text messages. I’ll upload what I can.

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