
Recently, ads for NICOO The Robot Puppy have been popping up all over social media. Sometimes it’s also called NICOO My Realistic Robot Puppy or NICOO LifeLike AI Plush Toy. The promotions show a highly realistic robotic puppy that walks, wags its tail, reacts to humans, and behaves almost like a real dog. These videos promise features like lifelike movement, AI-powered responses, emotional reactions, and smart sensor based interaction. But when people actually get the product, the story seems very different.
Many buyers report that the toy they received is nothing like the advanced robotic puppy shown in the ads. Instead, most describe getting a simple plush toy with either very limited movement or none at all. A few mention small mechanical motions, like a slight tail wag, but nothing close to the lifelike behavior advertised. Most importantly, no one reported experiencing the AI features or realistic robotic interactions promised in the ads.
Making a toy that truly behaves like a robotic puppy requires sophisticated technology like sensors, actuators, a processor capable of running AI, and specialized software. Toys with these features are usually much more expensive and come with detailed manuals, demos, and technical specs.

This isn’t the first time a product like this has caused disappointment. Other toys with similar marketing tricks include:
In all these cases, customers expected advanced robotic features but got ordinary plush toys instead. NICOO My Realistic Robot Puppy seems to follow the same pattern.

Websites selling this toy often show signs of low credibility:
While these don’t prove the product is a scam, they are common among unreliable online stores.
People have complained that they are just normal stuffed toys but not AI plush toys like they have shown in the advertisements. Many buyers say the toys don’t move or act like real robotic pets as shown in the ads, and the features listed online don’t match what they received. So, the product may not meet expectations.
While the NICOO Robot Puppy could still work as a simple stuffed toy, it doesn’t seem to deliver the high-tech robotic features shown in the ads. So, if you're planning to order one, go in with the mindset that you're buying a basic plush rather than an intelligent robot pet.
Before purchasing, spend some time checking real customer photos and reviews, compare it with similar products, and look up the seller's credibility. You might also want to explore other verified robotic pet brands, watch unboxing videos, or wait until more authentic user feedback comes out to avoid disappointment.

Have you fallen for a hoax, bought a fake product? Report the site and warn others!
As the influence of the internet rises, so does the prevalence of online scams. There are fraudsters making all kinds of claims to trap victims online - from fake investment opportunities to online stores - and the internet allows them to operate from any part of the world with anonymity. The ability to spot online scams is an important skill to have as the virtual world is increasingly becoming a part of every facet of our lives. The below tips will help you identify the signs which can indicate that a website could be a scam. Common Sense: Too Good To Be True When looking for goods online, a great deal can be very enticing. A Gucci bag or a new iPhone for half the price? Who wouldn’t want to grab such a deal? Scammers know this too and try to take advantage of the fact. If an online deal looks too good to be true, think twice and double-check things. The easiest way to do this is to simply check out the same product at competing websites (that you trust). If the difference in prices is huge, it might be better to double-check the rest of the website. Check Out the Social Media Links Social media is a core part of ecommerce businesses these days and consumers often expect online shops to have a social media presence. Scammers know this and often insert logos of social media sites on their websites. Scratching beneath the surface often reveals this fu
Disclaimer: This article was originally published in 2018 and has been updated in October 2025 to reflect more current information, resources, and advice. Scams and recovery options continue to evolve, so always double-check with your bank, payment provider, or local consumer protection authority for the latest guidance. So the worst has come to pass - you realise you parted with your money too fast, and the site you used was a scam - what now? Well first of all, don’t despair!! If you think you have been scammed, the first port of call when having an issue is to simply ask for a refund. This is the first and easiest step to determine whether you are dealing with a genuine company or scammers. Sadly, getting your money back from a scammer is not as simple as just asking. If you are indeed dealing with scammers, the procedure (and chance) of getting your money back varies depending on the payment method you used. PayPal Debit card/Credit card Bank transfer Wire transfer Google Pay Bitcoin PayPal Good news: PayPal gives you strong protection. You can file a dispute within 180 days of your purchase. You can get a refund if: Your order never arrives, and the seller cannot provide proof of delivery. The scammer sends you something completely different (e.g., a controller instead of a PlayStation). The product condition was misrepresented (sold as new but arrives used). The item is missing undisclosed parts. The item is counterfeit. Start your claim directly through Pay