(I'm on several right now.)
The deposit may not be refundable but it's often transferable to another litter (if it's a good breeder.)
The KSL puppy scams lately have been people offering pure breed puppies for pretty cheap, like a purebread golden retriever for $200 that would normally cost $800.
They're pretty easy to spot - stock photo of only one puppy, out of state phone number, etc.