Quarantine Laws

[lapsang]

I was thinking about the people who have been ripped off by scammers who advertize various pedigree pets (cats, dogs,parrots etc) for adoption. They give some over the top sugary explaination of why they have to give these pets that they absolutely adore up for adoption (normally for some reason like they are about to go to New York to participate in a musical concert and will be away from home for some months) . The scam is that they don't want a dime for the animal/bird but will ask for the shipping fees and cost of the travelling crate. They give a name and address (usually Cameroon) and give instructions for the money to be sent by Western Union. People (believe it or not!) have sent the money and of course the pet never turns up. Well, my question is 'Arent there quarantine laws that would stop an animal or bird from coming straight into Britain without going through any quarantine? (I know there is no animal anyway but couldn't understand why these people thought that it would be possible if it wasn't in fact a scam. Hope that makes sense!