Fake Cattle, Real Money: Livestock Scam Warning
Buying cattle on Facebook? You may want to take a closer look at those pictures before you send any money.
The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is warning cattle buyers about scams involving fake social media profiles posing as legitimate cattle operations.
And these aren't just suspicious listings. Officials say some buyers have actually paid for cattle and traveled to pick them up, only to discover the real operation knew nothing about the sale. Some of the scams have even crossed state lines.
Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate says buyers need to verify who they're doing business with and make sure a transaction is legitimate before purchasing.
And here's another sign of the times: watch for AI-generated cattle.
Officials say red flags can include misshapen animals, distorted faces, uneven legs, warped backgrounds or images that look overly polished.
Buyers are encouraged to verify contact information, ask for references and confirm the operation is legitimate before money changes hands.
