Is the Pig Butchering Scam real or a scam?

This is a confirmed scam. Do not click any links, do not provide personal information, and do not send money. This is a investment scam.

What should I do if I received the Pig Butchering Scam?

Do not respond or click any links. Block the sender, report the message as spam, and delete it. If it came via text message, forward it to 7726 (SPAM).

What if I already fell for the Pig Butchering Scam?

Change your passwords immediately, contact your bank if you shared financial information, place a fraud alert on your credit, and file a report with the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

How do I report the Pig Butchering Scam?

Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) at ic3.gov, and your local law enforcement. If it impersonated a specific company, report it to that company as well.

Pig Butchering Scam: Is It a Scam?

Very High Prevalence Type: Investment

Yes, this is a scam. Do not click any links or provide personal information.

Pig butchering is a long-con scam where fraudsters build a personal relationship with victims over weeks or months before guiding them into fake cryptocurrency or investment platforms. Victims are 'fattened up' with trust and small wins before losing everything.

How This Scam Works

A scammer contacts you through a dating app, social media, or a 'wrong number' text. Over weeks, they build a genuine-seeming friendship or romance. Eventually they casually mention their success with crypto investing and offer to teach you. They direct you to a fake but professional-looking trading platform. Your first small investments show impressive gains, and you can even withdraw small amounts to build trust. Encouraged by the returns, you invest more and more. When you try to withdraw a large sum, the platform demands taxes, fees, or a deposit to 'unlock' the funds. Eventually the platform shuts down and the scammer disappears with all your money.

Red Flags to Watch For

Unsolicited contact from an attractive stranger who becomes quickly interested in you
Conversation casually turns to investing or crypto success
Directed to a trading platform you cannot find reviewed anywhere
Initial investments show unusually high, consistent returns
Unable to withdraw large amounts without paying additional fees
Scammer always has a reason they cannot meet in person

Example Scam Messages

Text: 'Hey is this Michael? Someone gave me this number at the networking event last week.' Weeks later: 'I've been doing really well with crypto lately. My uncle taught me this platform. I made $12,000 last month alone. Do you want me to show you how?' Later: 'Just put in $500 to start. I'll walk you through everything. Look, I put my own money in too. We're in this together.' When trying to withdraw: 'The platform says you need to pay a 15% tax before the withdrawal can be processed. It's just how international crypto taxes work. Once you pay it, you'll get everything back plus your profits.'

What to Do If You Received This

Be suspicious of strangers who contact you out of the blue
Never invest on a platform someone you have not met recommends
Research any trading platform independently before investing
If returns seem too good to be true, they are
Never pay fees to withdraw your own money

What to Do If You Fell For It

Stop all payments and communication with the scammer immediately
Document everything: messages, platform URLs, wallet addresses, transaction records
Contact your bank about any wire transfers or card payments
File a report with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Contact the CFTC at cftc.gov/complaint for crypto-related fraud
Be wary of 'recovery' services that contact you afterward; most are also scams
Seek emotional support; victims often experience shame and depression

How to Report This Scam

Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
File a complaint with FBI IC3 at ic3.gov
Report to the CFTC at cftc.gov/complaint
Report to the SEC at sec.gov/tcr
File a local police report

Last updated: February 10, 2026