MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries is warning cattle buyers about fraudulent listings posted on social media. The agency says scammers are using fake profiles to impersonate legitimate livestock operations.

Recent incidents have involved online advertisements for heifers. Some buyers have traveled to collect cattle they believed they had purchased. However, the legitimate operations knew nothing about those transactions.

ADAI says the scams have extended beyond Alabama, increasing the need for awareness.

Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Rick Pate urged producers and buyers to remain diligent and verify transactions before purchasing livestock. He said careful verification helps protect buyers, producers, and the integrity of Alabama’s beef industry.

How to Recognize a Fake Livestock Listing

ADAI recommends verifying contact information, requesting references, and confirming that the advertised operation is legitimate. Buyers should also use caution before completing any financial transaction.

Officials warn that scammers may use AI-generated cattle images that appear convincing at first glance. Possible warning signs include:

• Misshapen bodies, missing tails, uneven legs, distorted faces, or irregular ears and nostrils.
• Warped, repeated, or unrealistic fencing, grass, barns, and other background features.
• An overly polished or “perfect” appearance.
• Blurry or uneven edges where the animal meets the background.
• Duplicate or reused images of the same animal in different locations.
• No photographs showing the full herd, facilities, or livestock-handling areas.
• Missing identifying features such as brands, ear tags, or distinctive coloring.

Buyers should request additional photographs showing the animals, facilities, and surrounding property. They can also compare listings to determine whether the same cattle images appear elsewhere.

Where to Report Suspected Livestock Fraud

Anyone who suspects livestock fraud should contact ALEA’s Alcohol and Rural Crime Unit at 334-288-8328.

The Alabama Securities Commission also accepts reports at 334-242-2984.

ADAI is encouraging farm bureaus, cattlemen’s associations, state agriculture departments, and other agricultural groups to share the warning.

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