Warning: Rise in "Free to Good Home" Tortoise Scams on Social Media
UK tortoise keepers are being urged to exercise extreme caution when responding to "Free to Good Home" adverts on social media platforms, following a sharp rise in reported scams in 2025.
Because platforms like Facebook and Instagram strictly ban the commercial sale of live animals, scammers have adapted their tactics. Instead of listing a price, they post photos of healthy tortoises (often stolen from legitimate breeder websites) with captions claiming they can no longer care for the animal.
The "Delivery Fee" Trap
The scam follows a predictable pattern. When a hopeful adopter contacts the poster, they are told the tortoise is free, but they must pay a "courier fee" or "specialized delivery crate fee"—usually between £50 and £150. Once the money is transferred (often via bank transfer or Friends & Family payment methods that offer no protection), the seller blocks the victim and disappears.
A spokesperson for the community noted: "These scammers prey on people's kindness. They know people are looking for a bargain or want to rescue an animal. If you see a high-value species like a Leopard or Sulcata tortoise being offered for 'free' just for shipping, it is almost certainly a scam."
How to Spot a Fake Listing
- Reverse Image Search: Scammers rarely take their own photos. Right-click the image and search Google to see if it appears on US websites or old Pinterest boards.
- The "Sad Story": Be wary of overly elaborate sob stories about sick relatives or moving abroad that require an urgent (free) sale.
- Refusal of Collection: If the seller refuses to let you collect the tortoise in person and insists on a courier, walk away immediately.
Tortoises For Sale UK was established to combat exactly this issue. All listings on our platform are monitored, and we strongly encourage face-to-face collections to ensure the welfare of the animal and the safety of the buyer.