Complaint Review: Cindy Marlotte - Cameroon Internet

I responded to an internet ad in a local classified regarding the adoption of a female english bulldog pup. Upon receiving an initial response from this person, we began exchanging emails regarding the pup (health, AKC registration, guarantee, etc). The person told me that her husband (Craig Matt-Penn) worked for Sears Mining Corporation and was temporarily stationed in Yaounde for 9 months. After about 100 email exchanges, my family western unioned Cindy Marlotte $205 of the $400 that she was requesting. She approved a contract that I sent her via email and agreed to do half prior to shipping the pup and the remainder once we received the pup and took her to the vet to make sure that she was in the same condition that she left Cameroon. We wired her the money on February 8, 2006. The next day she picked up the funds and immediately emailed us telling us the dog would leave that day. About 2 days later, she emailed me telling me that she now needed $85 more dollars on top of the agreed amount to cover export papers and transfer of ownership on the dog. I emailed her and refused to send her more money until I had verifiable flight information for my dog. I told her to set up the flight arrangements and put them on hold. Then I asked her to contact me and I would pay the airline direct for the cargo fees for our dog. She did not respond for one whole day. This was odd, I usually received anywhere from 5-10 emails daily from her. My fiance called her husbands cell phone (237-515-3078) and spoke to Craig Matt-Penn and he assured us that she was working on the flight arrangements and that we would hear from them that day. When we did not receive any response, I emailed Cindy Marlotte, explaining to her that I wanted the dog or my money back and set a deadline. I then told her if either was not finalized, that I had already contacted a legal fraud aide in NY and had all of the information from her necessary to report this fraud to the South African Police Department Direct. She then emailed me begging me not to do that. They were not a scam, she was just having problems with the export papers for the dog. I gave her another chance to set up the flight arrangements, to no avail-we have neither the pup or our refund. In addition to reporting this to you, I have contacted the South African Police, AKC registry groups, her internet provider, the website where she posted the ad, bulldog registry groups and now you. I realize that my family is probably out of the money, but I refuse to allow this woman to victimize another family. I will make sure to flag anywhere that I can find her name on the internet. I have already begun so. She knows this as well. I let her know what my intentions were. This woman has dragged my family through 12 days of emotional hell. We have been under so much stress anticipating the arrival of our puppy. Not to mention our 5 year old daughter is devistated and we had to teach her early that there are bad people in this world and that you cannot trust everyone. A horrible lesson to have to teach someone at such a young age. If you would like any more information, I have saved all email correspondance and my phone records of all of the phone calls that we made to Cindy Marlotte and Craig Matt-Penn. Please contact me if you find any information that can be released to me or if you require additional.

Kim

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
U.S.A.