What The Heck Is "Pig Butchering"???

Scams are a dime a dozen these days, but one of the more involved (and, frankly, disturbing) ones out there is something called "pig butchering." It's a strange name, but it's fitting, unfortunately. The basic idea? Scammers spend weeks or even months getting to know someone, "fattening them up" with attention and trust before slaughtering them financially.

The name is actually derived from a Chinese idiom, "shu zhu pan," which literally means "killing pig plate." And that's precisely how these scammers work. They don't just want a quick profit — they're out to bleed as much money as they can.

How the Scam Typically Plays Out

It often starts relatively innocently. Maybe you get a text from the wrong number, or a friendly message from a stranger online. Those are simple enough to dismiss — but if you respond, even just out of politeness, that's when the scam can really take hold.

The scammer keeps talking. They're nice. Maybe they share little bits of their "life" with you. They're ordinary. It feels personal. And then, after a while, they mention, almost offhandedly, an investment opportunity — often something like cryptocurrency, gold, or forex trading.

If you're interested (or just curious), they'll point you toward a plausible-sounding app or site. Everything looks legit: pro logos, glossy dashboards, fake profits showing up in your "account." It looks safe. It looks real. It's not.

Once they've gotten you to invest, they'll pressure you to invest more. Sometimes they'll even show you impressive "gains." And if you try to withdraw? Suddenly there are "fees" or "taxes" you have to pay first. It goes on like this until they vanish with everything.

Some things to watch out for:

• Unsolicited messages from strangers who want to keep the conversation going, even if you seem uninterested.

• Friendly conversations that later lead to investments or investment tips.

  
  

• Trying to get you to move the conversation to private apps (typically messaging apps you're less familiar with).

  
  

• Promises of high returns with little risk. (It's too good to be true because it is.)

  
  

• Any secrecy or urgency about the "opportunity."

  
  

It's not always obvious right away. That's one of the things that makes these scams so successful.

A Few Ways to Protect Yourself

First and foremost, stay wary when someone new gets in touch with you, especially if they use investment slang.

Don't share personal details with strangers online, even if the conversation appears harmless or friendly at first. If someone offers an investment opportunity, do your own research, and not solely based on links they provide.

And if you think you've been scammed, it's important to act quickly. Alert your bank or financial institution, and report the scam to the appropriate authorities.

Final Thoughts

"Pig butchering" scams are, unfortunately, on the increase. They're patient. They're convincing. And they're poisonous.

So, if something doesn't quite add up — even a little — go with that. It's much better to be a bit too cautious than to fall into the kind of trap it's very hard to wriggle out of.