Is this the Cameroon Scam or the real deal?

Yes it is a scam. I've been through the same thing saying the exact same thing. Also while I was looking for puppies I've contacted may different ads with different emails that advertise free puppies and email back questions about you and what not. Anyways these different ads all have the same stories but different locations. And if you google it just confirms the scam. Luckily I wasn't dumb enough to believe them.