Pig butchering scams: how they work and what to do
A scammer builds a friendship or romance over weeks, then gets you to 'invest' in a fake crypto platform that shows fake profits.
How it works
- A stranger messages you, often by "wrong number" text, a dating app or social media.
- Over weeks they become a friend or partner, and mention they make money trading crypto.
- They help you open an account on a fake investment platform. You send USDT, often on Tron.
- The site shows big profits. You invest more.
- When you try to withdraw, you are told to pay "taxes" or "fees" first. The money never comes back.
Warning signs
- Someone you have never met in person brings up crypto investing.
- Profits that are too steady or too high.
- Withdrawal blocked until you pay more.
What to do
Stop paying, save everything, and follow what to do first. Then trace the funds: these scams usually move money through exchanges, where a freeze may be possible.