Pig Butchering Scam (Sha Zhu Pan)

Pig butchering scams follow a predictable pattern that unfolds over several stages:

Stage 1 - The Approach: Scammers contact victims through dating apps, social media, or "wrong number" text messages. They present themselves as successful, attractive individuals, often claiming to work in finance or cryptocurrency.

Stage 2 - Building Trust: Over weeks or months, scammers develop an emotional connection. They share photos (stolen from real people), engage in daily conversations, and create the illusion of a genuine romantic relationship. They refuse video calls, citing cultural reasons or poor internet connections.

Stage 3 - The Investment Hook: Once trust is established, scammers casually mention their success with cryptocurrency investments. They share fake screenshots of massive profits and offer to teach the victim their "strategy."

Stage 4 - The Trap: Victims are directed to professional-looking cryptocurrency platforms (completely fake websites). Initial small investments show impressive returns, which victims can successfully withdraw. This builds confidence.

Stage 5 - The Fattening: Encouraged by early success, victims invest larger amounts. The scammers may introduce "investment advisors" or "account managers" to add legitimacy. Victims often take out loans, drain retirement accounts, or borrow from family.

Stage 6 - The Slaughter: When victims try to withdraw significant funds, the platform demands taxes, fees, or additional deposits. No matter how much victims pay, they cannot access their money. Eventually, the scammers disappear completely.