The 7 biggest red flags
If a 'breeder' will only accept Zelle, Cash App, wire transfer, Western Union, MoneyGram, Apple/Google Pay gift cards, or cryptocurrency, walk away. These payment methods have no buyer protection and cannot be reversed.
A real breeder will happily get on a video call to show you the puppy AND the mother in their actual home or kennel. 'My camera is broken' or 'I'm travelling' is a scam tell.
Scammers push you to WhatsApp, Telegram, or text right away so there's no record. It's fine to call eventually — but the first few messages should stay on the platform you found them on.
'Two other families are interested, I need a deposit in the next hour.' Real, responsible breeders have waiting lists and never rush a buyer.
Sudden illness, divorce, military deployment, eviction — emotional pressure used to push a quick wire transfer is a classic scam script.
A well-bred, health-tested Cane Corso puppy is rarely under $1,500–$2,000 USD in the United States, and usually $2,500+. Anything under ~$800 should be treated as suspicious until proven otherwise.
If they can't show OFA / PennHIP hips, cardiac, eyes (CAER), or DNA panel results — and can't name the sire and dam — they're either not health-testing or not who they say they are.
What to do before you send any money
Ask the breeder to pick up the specific puppy you're interested in on a live video call, and ask to see the mother in the same shot. Photos can be stolen; live video can't (easily) be.
Look up the kennel name, address, and breeder name. Cross-check on Google Maps, Facebook, Instagram, and any breed registry (AKC, FCI, ENCI). Scammers often invent a kennel name with no online history.
Vet records, vaccination history, microchip number, registration paperwork, and health-test certificates with the dog's name and a verifiable registry number. Real breeders share these without hesitation.
Credit card, PayPal Goods & Services, or an escrow service. Never wire, never gift card, never crypto. A small processing fee is a tiny price for the ability to dispute a fraudulent charge.
Ask the breeder for one or two past puppy buyers willing to chat. A confident breeder will connect you; a scammer will dodge the question.
A short note about CorsoMondo
CorsoMondo is an advertising platform for Cane Corso breeders. We do not collect payment for any puppy, take a cut of any sale, or escrow funds. Every transaction is directly between you and the breeder, and we cannot guarantee any individual breeder's conduct.
What we do do: we vet breeders before marking them "Verified", we show positive trust signals on every profile (claimed, verified, health-testing on file, etc.), and we review listings internally for known scam patterns. If a breeder doesn't show any trust badges, it just means they haven't earned them yet — treat them with extra caution, work through the checklist above, and never send money you can't get back.
If you suspect a scam, please contact us so we can investigate.