A new scam involving lost pets has caught the attention of the Grande Prairie RCMP.

The scam involves social media posts from owners searching for their lost pets, who are then contacted by an unknown person, a fraudster, claiming to have found the pet.

The scammers are then telling the owner they must transfer money to them for the animal to be returned.

Authorities say the scam is being perpetrated in communities around Alberta and suggest anyone who may be a targeted in such a scam to never transfer money, as desperate as you maybe to get your pet back. If you do believe you are a victim of this scam, please report the incident to RCMP or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.

The RCMP want to warn the public to be vigilant.

This article was originally sourced by everythinggp.com.