A Cameroonian citizen recently pleaded guilty to his involvement in a scheme using COVID-19 to trick people into paying for pets that never arrived.
Desmond Fodje Bobga, 28, of Cameroon, offered pets for sale online between June 2018 and June 2020. After each purchase, Bobga and other conspirators gave the victim a false tracking number. While they posed as the transportation company, they claimed the transport was delayed and the victim needed to pay more to have the pet delivered due to COVID-19 exposure, according to a Department of Justice press release.
“The Department of Justice is committed to prosecuting fraud schemes that take advantage of American consumers, including schemes that seek to exploit the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Brian M. Boynton, acting assistant attorney general of the Justice Department’s Civil Division. “We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania and to the FBI for their partnership on this matter, and we greatly appreciate the efforts of Romanian law enforcement.”
One victim, from New Brighton, Pennsylvania, was trying to buy a mini-dachshund for her mother in March 2020. The victim paid $9,100 due to false claims about the pet being shipped, exposed to COVID-19 and needing insurance, the release said.
“Mr. Bobga preyed on American citizens looking for comfort from a pet during the COVID pandemic,” said Special Agent in Charge Mike Nordwall of FBI Pittsburgh. “His admission of guilt today will give his victims some solace in knowing someone is being held accountable. This investigation should also be a reminder to everyone to be careful who they’re buying from on the internet.”
Bobga was extradited from Romania and prosecuted in western Pennsylvania. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and will be sentenced on April 8, 2022, the release said. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.
