What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? Don’t Let Greed Turn into Grief

May 9, 2025

The Pig Butchering Scam: A Slow Con with Devastating Results

The name may sound strange, but the damage is all too real. “Pig butchering” is one of the most destructive online scams happening today—especially to people looking for connection or fast financial growth.

It’s not a one-time trick. It’s a long con that builds trust before draining bank accounts. Here’s how it works, what it looks like, and how to stay safe.

How the Scam Works

Pig butchering combines two types of scams: romance scams and investment fraud.

The Setup ("Fattening the Pig")
The scammer reaches out via text, social media, or dating apps. Sometimes it's a “wrong number” text that turns friendly. The goal is to start a casual conversation and slowly build a relationship.
The Hook
Once trust is built, they mention how they’re making easy money—often through cryptocurrency or foreign investments. They claim they want to share the secret with you.
The Trap
They introduce you to a fake investment platform (which they control) and help you make a small profit at first. This builds confidence.
The Slaughter
You’re encouraged to invest more—sometimes tens or hundreds of thousands. Once the scammer believes they've gotten all they can, the platform "crashes," locks you out, or suddenly demands taxes or fees. The scammer disappears, and your money is gone.

What It Looks Like

You meet someone friendly online out of the blue, often from a “wrong number” or dating app.
They seem kind, successful, and emotionally available.
After weeks or even months, they encourage you to try an investment.
The app or website they send you looks professional, shows fake gains, and may even have customer support.
They pressure you to act fast or invest more.
When you try to withdraw money, there are fees, delays—or you’re locked out entirely.

Red Flags to Watch For

They avoid video calls or meeting in person.
They talk about making easy money or “limited-time” investments.
They ask you to move money to crypto wallets or unfamiliar platforms.
They say you need to “pay taxes” before you can get your earnings.
They discourage you from telling family or friends.

How to Stay Safe

Be skeptical of unsolicited investment advice—especially from new online contacts.
Never send money or crypto to someone you haven’t met in person and verified.
Check URLs and platforms. Fake investment sites can look extremely real.
Talk to someone you trust before moving large sums of money.
If you’ve already sent money, report it to the FTC, your bank, and local authorities immediately.

Final Thought

Pig butchering scams rely on two things: emotional trust and financial hope. They’re carefully planned, extremely manipulative, and can happen to anyone. If you or someone you love is being pressured into investing by someone they met online, take a step back and investigate. Better to walk away early than be left with nothing later.