Social Engineering

How to Spot and Avoid ‘Pig Butchering’ Crypto Romance Scams What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? The term “pig butchering” comes from the way scammers carefully “fatten up” a victim before taking their money. It blends social engineering — often starting on dating apps or social media — with fake cryptocurrency investments. The goal is to build trust over weeks or months, then convince you to send large sums to bogus trading platforms that show impressive but completely fabricated returns. ...

How to Spot and Avoid “Pig Butchering” Scams: A Practical Guide If you’ve received an unexpected text from a wrong number or a friend request from a stranger who quickly turns flirtatious, you might be the target of what authorities now call a “pig butchering” scam. The New York State Attorney General recently issued a consumer alert about this growing fraud, and the tactics are worth understanding because the losses can be severe. ...

The New “Friend” Who Wants You to Get Rich: Understanding Pig Butchering Scams You get a message out of the blue. Maybe it’s on a dating app, social media, or even a wrong-number text that turns into a conversation. The person on the other end is charming, attentive, and seems genuinely interested in your life. Over weeks or even months, a digital friendship—or romance—blossoms. Then, they casually mention an incredible investment opportunity that’s making them a fortune. They want to help you get in on it, too. ...