Pig Butchering Scam – Crypto ‘Relationship’ Investment Fraud | ScamPause
A long-game scam that mixes romance, trust-building, and fake crypto profits.
Immediate Answer
If someone you met online is guiding you into a crypto ‘investment’ platform with unusually high returns, this may be a pig butchering scam. These are highly organized and devastating.
How This Scam Works
Scammers build a relationship over weeks or months. They introduce a ‘safe’ crypto platform or app (often fake). You may see profits on a dashboard. When you try to withdraw, they demand more money for taxes, fees, or verification—until the victim is drained.
Signs This Is a Scam
- The relationship moves fast or feels unusually intense
- They steer conversations toward money or investing
- They push a specific crypto platform or ‘investment opportunity’ you’ve never heard of
- They show screenshots of large profits
- Withdrawals are blocked unless you pay more fees/taxes
What To Do Right Now
- Stop sending money immediately
- Do not pay additional ‘fees’ to withdraw funds
- Preserve evidence (chats, usernames, wallet addresses, URLs, receipts)
- If you gave remote access or shared device info, secure your accounts and devices
- Talk to someone you trust—scammers rely on secrecy and isolation
If You Already Sent Money or Information
If you already sent money, the priority is preventing further loss and protecting your identity/accounts. Do not trust anyone claiming they can recover funds for an upfront fee. Report the incident to the platforms involved and to consumer protection resources.
How To Protect Yourself Going Forward
Be cautious of investment advice from strangers or new online relationships. Verify platforms independently, avoid ‘too good to be true’ returns, and never send additional money to access your own funds.
You Are Not Alone
These scams are engineered to exploit trust and hope. Being targeted is not your fault, and you deserve support—not shame.