# What Is a Pig Butchering Scam? Signs and What to Do

> Pig butchering is a scam in which a stranger builds an online friendship or romance with you, then talks you into investing, often in crypto, on a fake platform that takes your money.

Also called: romance baiting, relationship investment scam

Pig butchering is a scam in which a stranger builds an online friendship or romance with you, then talks you into investing, often in cryptocurrency, on a fake platform that takes your money. The US Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, [FinCEN](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-issues-alert-prevalent-virtual-currency-investment-scam-commonly-known), says the name comes from fattening a hog before slaughter: scammers call their victims "pigs". [INTERPOL](https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2024/INTERPOL-urges-end-to-Pig-Butchering-term-cites-harm-to-online-victims) prefers "romance baiting", because the old term shames victims and can stop them coming forward.

FinCEN says these scams are largely run by criminal enterprises in Southeast Asia that use victims of labor trafficking to do the outreach. The UK's [Report Fraud](https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/romance-fraud/) service groups it with romance fraud.

## How pig butchering shows up

- **A message out of nowhere:** a "hi, how are you?" text from an unknown number, as the [FTC](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/05/why-its-not-rude-ignore-hi-how-are-you-text-messages-strangers) describes, or a match or friend request.
- **Friendship first,** with the chat soon moved to WhatsApp or LINE. Once there's an emotional connection, investing comes up, as [Scamwatch](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/relationship-scams) notes.
- **Talk of trading success.** They pose as a successful crypto trader and offer to show you how, according to the [FBI](https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2022/PSA221003).
- **An unfamiliar website or app** where your balance seems to grow fast.
- **A fee to get your money out:** taxes or extra charges before you can withdraw.

## An example of pig butchering

*This is an invented example.* A text asks, "Hi Amy, still on for dinner Friday?" You say it's the wrong number, they apologize, and you keep chatting for weeks. Then they mention an app where they've "doubled their savings" and help you make a small deposit. The balance climbs, but to withdraw, the app wants a 20% "tax" first.

## Pig butchering vs. a classic romance scam

In a classic romance scam, the scammer asks for money for themselves: a medical bill, a ticket, a fee. In pig butchering they may never ask for money directly. They offer to help *you* make money, and you send it into what looks like your own account. The FTC's [crypto advice](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams) covers both: never mix online dating and investment advice, and only scammers guarantee profits.

## What to do if you've been targeted

1. **Stop depositing, and don't pay a withdrawal "tax" or fee.** That demand is part of the scam.
2. **Contact your bank, crypto exchange or ATM operator now,** as the [FTC](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed) advises.
3. **Keep the evidence:** chats, usernames, the platform's address and each payment's details, which the FBI asks for.
4. **Report it.** In the US, to the FBI at [ic3.gov](https://www.ic3.gov/) and at [ReportFraud.ftc.gov](https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/). In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to [Report Fraud](https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/) or on 0300 123 2040; in Scotland, Police Scotland on 101. In Australia, to [Scamwatch](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam); IDCARE (1800 595 160) can help with a recovery plan.
5. **Ignore offers to recover your money.** Report Fraud warns that fraudsters sometimes return claiming they can.

Mirabu's [Scam Detector](https://www.mirabu.app/scam-detector/) reads a screenshot of a message for common scam scripts, payment requests and pressure phrases, as a signal rather than proof. See also [romance scam warning signs](https://www.mirabu.app/blog/romance-scam-warning-signs/) and [scam texts](https://www.mirabu.app/blog/how-to-spot-scam-texts/).

## Sources

- [FinCEN issues alert on prevalent virtual currency investment scam commonly known as "pig butchering"](https://www.fincen.gov/news/news-releases/fincen-issues-alert-prevalent-virtual-currency-investment-scam-commonly-known), FinCEN, September 2023
- [INTERPOL urges end to "pig butchering" term, cites harm to online victims](https://www.interpol.int/en/News-and-Events/News/2024/INTERPOL-urges-end-to-Pig-Butchering-term-cites-harm-to-online-victims), INTERPOL, December 2024
- [Cryptocurrency investment schemes](https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2022/PSA221003), FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center, October 2022
- [Why it's not rude to ignore "hi, how are you?" text messages from strangers](https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2024/05/why-its-not-rude-ignore-hi-how-are-you-text-messages-strangers), FTC, June 2024
- [What to know about cryptocurrency and scams](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams) and [What to do if you were scammed](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-do-if-you-were-scammed), FTC Consumer Advice
- [Romance fraud](https://www.reportfraud.police.uk/romance-fraud/), Report Fraud (City of London Police)
- [Relationship scams](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-of-scams/relationship-scams) and [Report a scam](https://www.scamwatch.gov.au/report-a-scam), Scamwatch (ACCC)

---

Guides on this:
- [Romance Scam Warning Signs and How the Scam Works](https://www.mirabu.app/blog/romance-scam-warning-signs/)
- [How to Spot Scam Texts and What to Do If You Clicked](https://www.mirabu.app/blog/how-to-spot-scam-texts/)

Related terms: [Love-bombing](https://www.mirabu.app/glossary/love-bombing/) · [Catfishing](https://www.mirabu.app/glossary/catfishing/)

[Check it with Scam Detector](https://www.mirabu.app/scam-detector/) · [All terms](https://www.mirabu.app/glossary/)