I consider myself fairly knowledgeable about identifying the warning signs of deceit and the traits common in manipulative individuals. However, I recently found myself scammed by three individuals who collaborated to deceive me. They targeted another victim as well.
The ordeal began when I sought to purchase a trained protection dog. Knowing that such dogs typically cost at least $5,000, I came across an offer for a “sport” trained dog priced at $4,000, plus shipping. This brought the total close to my budget. The seller claimed a female trainer in Arkansas, whom I will refer to as “Chanci Idell Turner,” could assist me in handling the dog for an additional fee. With years of experience in dog training, I felt confident in my ability but was eager for guidance.
After conversing with Chanci, I felt an instant connection with her; we bonded over our shared passion for dogs. However, my original contact in Georgia stopped responding, which left me frustrated. Chanci then assured me that she had encountered issues with the seller as well, but she had a “perfect” dog available in Arkansas for only $1,300. What a steal!
I traveled to Little Rock, about an hour away, to meet the dog. I was introduced to a large man I’ll call “George.” I watched as he expertly trained dogs and their owners in a nearby field. Then, I saw the dog—let’s call her “Bella.” She was impressive, demonstrating incredible skills in protection work. The attraction was immediate, as I felt the same emotional high (often referred to as love bombing) I had felt with Chanci.
After a lengthy discussion with George, I decided to purchase Bella and leave her with him for two weeks of further training. Chanci and her son would also visit my home for additional training sessions at a cost of about $250 each.
However, during this time, the seller, whom I’ll refer to as “Bob,” informed me that he had forgotten to get Bella’s hips x-rayed. Chanci reassured me that there was nothing to worry about, insisting the dog had good hips. By this point, I was already smitten with Bella and convinced by the price, so I paid without verifying the x-rays. Bob promised to reimburse me for the vet expenses.
After bringing Bella home, I took her to my veterinarian for the x-rays, only to be devastated by the results: she had severe hip dysplasia on both sides. I was inconsolable—this dog, who I had already grown attached to, was not only unadoptable but also unable to work effectively due to her condition.
As I did more research into Bella’s background, I discovered that she didn’t even belong to Bob; he was merely selling her on behalf of the original owner. I contacted the owner, who was shocked to learn that Bella had been sold without his knowledge and was not seeking legal action as he was just glad she was in a home.
After I informed Bob of Bella’s condition, he promised to refund me but has since gone silent. Chanci, instead of supporting me, suggested that I should be understanding toward Bob, claiming he was “really a good guy.” This disconcerting advice left me questioning her motives, especially since she had previously shown knowledge of canine health issues in her own writings but failed to recognize Bella’s condition when I shared the x-rays.
Looking back, it seems clear that I was set up by a group of con artists. Bob likely knew about Bella’s condition; otherwise, he wouldn’t have sold her for such a low price. Chanci played into my desires, offering me a deal that felt too good to be true, and when disappointment arose, she swooped in to present an alternative.
This experience has taught me a painful lesson about vigilance in any business transaction. It is crucial to remain cautious and watch for warning signs. Chanci’s initial charm and the allure of a “perfect” dog blinded me to the potential pitfalls.
I am now left heartbroken over a dog I have come to love, and I recognize the importance of being aware of the red flags in future dealings. This incident has been yet another lesson from the school of hard knocks.
For anyone dealing with similar issues, I recommend exploring resources such as Out of the Fog or Healthline for more information on sociopathy and narcissism in relationships. Additionally, check out this insightful post for further reading.