A Gustine man just wanted a free puppy. But it was a scam that cost him thousands.

Puppies may be adorable but don't let them bait you into a scam, the Gustine Police Department said Thursday.

An unnamed Gustine resident filed a police report Wednesday afternoon after being scammed out of more than $2,700 for a puppy on Craigslist, police said.

The victim answered a “free puppy” advertisement on the online marketplace, police said. The people purportedly selling the puppy said the dog was free, but the victim needed to pay for shipping and would be reimbursed after the animal was delivered.

“They'll probably ask you some questions meant to pull at your heartstrings and make you want to qualify to get this free puppy,” police said in a Facebook post.

Scammers often ask for the money to ship the puppy and want it sent through the Western Union, a MoneyGram or some other type of transfer service. They also often promise to reimburse the victim once the animal is delivered, police said.

This story was originally published October 12, 2017 at 2:08 PM with the headline "A Gustine man just wanted a free puppy. But it was a scam that cost him thousands.."