What is Pig Butchering and How to Spot the Scam

April 23, 2025 By Michael S. Davis No Comments 8 minutes

A pig butchering scam is an investment fraud. In this scam, criminals use fake online accounts to trick users into fraud investment schemes. The creepy name “Pig butchering” comes from how scammers slowly gain a victim’s trust to take as much money as they can. These scams are also known as “accidental text” scams.

They mostly start with a random message that seems like a mistake. Usually, they drag on for weeks or months and mix different scams to trick people. You can stay safe by spotting warning signs early and keeping your personal info secure. In this article, I will explain in detail what is pig butchering, and how you can avoid it to stay safe.

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What Is Pig Butchering Fraud?

A pig-butchering scam is a type of investment fraud where scammers trick people into putting money into what looks like a real and profitable opportunity. They often promise big returns in a short time to make it sound convincing. To build trust, scammers use fake photos and impressive (but fake) investment results.

Once the victim has put in a large amount of money, the scammer disappears, and the money is gone. The name “pig butchering” comes from the idea that scammers “fatten up” their victims with sweet promises before taking everything.

These scams often start with a random message or friendly chat. The scammer might pretend they got the wrong number or were trying to reach someone else. They may also use photos of attractive women to spark interest, using romance and emotional connection to build trust before bringing up the fake investment.

Also, read about the Brushing Scam.

How Pig Butchering Scams Work (Step-by-Step)

Initial Contact:
The scammer reaches out through a dating app, social media message, or even a random text. They might pretend they messaged the wrong person to spark a casual chat.
Building Trust:
Once the conversation starts, the scammer keeps in touch regularly. Over days, weeks, or even months, they form a connection—sometimes romantic or friendly—to earn the victim’s trust.
The Investment Pitch:
After gaining trust, the scammer introduces a “great investment opportunity,” usually in cryptocurrency. They might claim they have insider tips or expert knowledge that guarantees high returns.
Fake Trading Platforms:
The victim is asked to download an app or visit a website to start trading. This platform is entirely controlled by the scammer and is designed to look real and convincing.
Fake Profits:
The platform shows fake profits or “successful trades.” Sometimes, the victim is even allowed to withdraw a small amount to gain confidence and invest more.
More Money, More Lies:
The scammer encourages the victim to add larger amounts of money, claiming it will increase returns.
Blocked Withdrawals:
When the victim tries to withdraw their money, the platform suddenly asks for extra fees or taxes. These payments also go to the scammer.
Disappearance:
Eventually, the scammer vanishes. The platform stops working, the money is gone, and any blockchain transactions are untraceable. Victims are left with nothing.

How to Spot a Pig Butchering Scam

It is not easy to spot a scam, you need to be extra careful to watch out for some signs. Therefore, be cautious of promises of big and quick returns. Avoid any transactions that ask for upfront cryptocurrency payments. Also, don’t mix online dating with investment advice from someone you’ve never met in person.

Here are more signs to watch for in pig butchering scams:

Wrong Number Messages

Scammers often start by sending messages on social media, dating apps, or text, pretending to have the wrong number. They want to start a conversation, even if you tell them they’ve contacted the wrong person.

What to do: Don’t respond. Delete the message, block the number, and report the user to the platform.

Guaranteed Returns on Cryptocurrency

No investment promises guaranteed returns. Pig butchering scams build trust over time, so investment talks might not happen right away. Be extra cautious when someone talks about cryptocurrency.

What to do: Don’t get involved in investments shared by strangers online. Don’t share personal or financial info with them.

Promises of Expensive Gifts

Some scammers lure victims in slowly but may offer expensive gifts or vacations to tempt them.
What to do: If the person seems to be making big promises, trust your instincts and block them.

Scammer Wants to Trade Together

The scammer may ask you to download a crypto trading app, sometimes requiring a minimum investment. They may offer to trade with you, showing you how the platform works.

What to do: Avoid any trading platforms suggested by someone you’ve only met online.

The platform might allow small withdrawals at first, but as you invest more, the scammer will stop answering and redirect you to customer service. When you try to withdraw, you’ll face excuses like “technical issues” or “server down.”

Fees and Taxes to Withdraw Money

Pig butchering scams try to get as much money as possible. The scammer may tell you to pay large fees or taxes before you can withdraw any funds. They might even claim your account is frozen, and you’ll lose everything unless you pay.

What to do: Don’t trust any app or trading platform recommended by someone online. Do proper research and send extra money to check your funds; legal platforms never operate like this. If you feel anything suspicious, immediately stop and report it.

Warning Signs of Pig Butchering Scams

Random messages: If a stranger sends you any social media message, text, or dating app message, it is a source of distrust and danger! Be sure to check if this guy is real.
Pursuing unrealistically good investment offers: Be aware of someone who claims that they can earn big profits with limited or no risk at all, as this is a clear intention to scam you. If it looks like it may be too good to be true, it most likely is.
Investment urgency: SCAMMERS press you to act fast about investments. Something that real investments provide is time to do due diligence.
Love in a thousand tongues: Be wary of someone online who expresses instant intense emotions and then mentions money or making an investment.
Receiving user data: Do not ask private information from others, such as a bank account, ID, etc. of a person you do not rather trust.
Unregistered platforms: Always ensure whether the investment website or app is registered with relevant financial authorities before you invest in it.
Hard time withdrawing your funds: If you find it hard to withdraw your profits, that is a very big red flag.
No clarity or sketchy sounds: If the person or platform can explain it, or if the story tends to change at any time, avoid.
Easy money promises: If someone tells you that you will get rich quickly with minimal effort, beware — this is a trick used by scammers.
Isolating you from others: Scammers may try to cut you off from friends and family so they can control the conversation. If that’s happening, you need to step back and seek counsel with someone you trust.

What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed

Immediately avoid contact: Do not pick up the phone, and do not respond to any more messages/calls from the scammer.
Inform the department(s) concerned: Always inform the authority concerned. It might be the bank or trading platform. Report your issue right away and ask them not to accept any further payments.
Report it to the police: Go to your local Police department and report it, and then report it to the FBI through their Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
Remember all the evidence: Take screenshots, messages, bank statements, and anything at all that might help investigators.

How to Avoid Pig Butchering Scams

It is very important to understand, analyze, and double-verify the platform first before you start investing your money—especially with cryptocurrencies. Make sure the URL is correct. Scammers tend to design fake websites with minor spelling mistakes to trick you.

Look around a little before you invest, and watch out for anything promising quick and easy money.

Also, don’t blindly trust every app. There are some pig butchering scam apps that have made it into the Apple and Google app stores. You have to check if it is a legitimate app before you download it. You can also check sites like the Better Business Bureau or even Reddit to see if others have made any complaints about anything. Just be careful!

Bottom Line

That’s all about Pig butchering scams. These scams are a type of online fraud that can seriously harm you financially and emotionally. It is important to learn how these scams work and identify the warning signs. By doing so, you can protect yourself from falling victim. The key to avoiding these scams is to stay alert, double-check information, research any investment opportunities thoroughly, and report any suspicious activity right away.