The following is a transcript of a report by reporter Aaron Saykin that first aired June 6, 2007, on WTAE Channel 4 Action News at 5 p.m.

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A new scam is targeting people who are looking to give puppies a new home.

You start off thinking you're doing a good deed and saving a ton of money by getting a free puppy only to find out the new scam, if successful, could end up costing you hundreds, sometimes thousands with nothing to show for it.

"It's the same people who do the Nigerian letter scams, the same people that do the sweepstakes promotions," said Warren King of the Better Business Bureau. "It's just a different scam to target different victims."

Last week, Tracy Braswell, of Churchill, noticed a local, online classified ad offering a free English bulldog to anyone willing to take it.

"I wouldn't have paid any attention but it had pictures attached to it, and the pictures were really adorable," said Braswell. "I was hoping someone was allergic to the dog and this wasn't a scam, and I would get a free dog and a good dog."

Braswell exchanged e-mails with the so-called owner, who said the dog could not handle the warm climate in Cameroon, Africa.

But the replies were written in broken English. Braswell became suspicious when she was asked to send a $160 shipping fee.

So she contacted the American Kennel Club, which warned her it was a new scam, apparently one with a growing trail of victims nationwide.

"Once those consumers sends those shipping fees, the next thing is: we need to get shots," said King. "We need to have that done. It could cost several hundred dollars."

The BBB said to keep an eye out for similar proposals on Web sites like MySpace.

They said you're better off dealing with a local owner in person. If you're really looking to help a dog, try adopting one from the Humane Society.

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