Thousands of people worldwide have been left heartbroken and bankrupt after falling victim to a new wave of sophisticated online scams. These schemes, known as 'pig butchering' scams, often begin with a friendly message from a stranger on WhatsApp, Telegram, or another platform. What seems like an innocent mistake or casual chat can quickly turn into a well-organised trap, with victims persuaded to invest money in fake online platforms—only to see their savings disappear.
Global Criminal Industry
Pig butchering scams are not carried out by lone individuals—they are run by transnational organised crime syndicates. According
to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), cyber-enabled fraud in Southeast Asia alone caused US$18bn (billion) to US$37bn in losses in 2023.
These criminal networks operate on an industrial scale, often from fortified scam compounds in Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and the Philippines. Some of these sites are controlled by armed groups, where human trafficking victims are forced to scam people worldwide under threat of violence.
“It is clear that while the criminals are coordinated and tech-enabled, our response is still fragmented and reactive. The Global Anti-Scam Alliance estimates that over US$1tn (trillion) globally was stolen by scammers in 2024 alone,” says Silvija Krupena, director of the financial intelligence unit at RedCompass Labs in a LinkedIn post.
The UNODC’s latest report paints a troubling picture:
• Criminals are professionalising their operations, setting up hubs inside casinos, hotels and special economic zones (SEZs).
• They are increasingly using cryptocurrency platforms, especially unregulated virtual asset service-providers (VASPs), to launder money.
• One VASP in Southeast Asia reportedly handled up to US$64bn in cryptocurrency trades between 2021 and 2024, with connections to cyber fraud, drug trafficking and money laundering.
A Simple 'Hi' That Could Cost You Everything
If you are like most smartphone users, you have probably received a random message from an unknown number. It may say:
“Hi, do I know you?”
“Why is your number saved in my phone?”
Or just a simple “Hello ??”
At first glance, these messages may look harmless. But they are not accidents. They are carefully planned openings in what cybercriminals call pig butchering—a phrase that comes from the idea of 'fattening up' a victim with attention, affection and fake profits before 'slaughtering' them financially.
These scams often begin like an online romance. The person on the other side may appear charming, attentive and genuinely interested in your life. Over weeks or even months, they build your trust. Then comes the hook: a so-called investment opportunity that promises high returns. That is when the trap is set.
From Casual Chat To Costly Trap
This is how the scam usually plays out:
• Initial contact: A stranger messages you on WhatsApp, Telegram, or even a dating app.
• Building trust: They share details about their ‘life’, often using stolen or AI-generated photos. They chat with you every day, appearing patient, caring and genuine.
• Investment hook: Once trust is established, the conversation turns to money. You may be told about a ‘highly profitable’ cryptocurrency or stock investment platform that promises ‘bumper’ guaranteed returns.
• Small wins, big losses: To make the scheme look real, the fraudster encourages you to invest a small amount first. They then show you fake dashboards or screenshots of huge profits. When you try to withdraw, it works—convincing you the scheme is genuine.
• The final blow: Once you are hooked, they push you to invest more—sometimes your entire savings. But when you try to withdraw again, your account is suddenly frozen, inaccessible, or disappears altogether.
WhatsApp’s Crackdown
The scale of this problem is enormous. WhatsApp recently removed more than 6.8mn (million) accounts linked to pig butchering and similar scams. In a
Facebook post, Meta, the owner of WhatsApp, says, “Some of the most prolific sources of scams are criminal scam centres, often fuelled by forced labour and operated by organised crime primarily in Southeast Asia. In the first six months of this year, as part of our ongoing proactive work to protect people from scams, WhatsApp detected and banned over 6.8mn accounts linked to scam centres. Based on our investigative insights into the latest enforcement efforts, we proactively detected and took down accounts before scam centres were able to operationalise them.”
However, experts warn that deleting accounts is just one part of the solution.
Role of AI and Deepfakes
One of the most worrying trends is the use of advanced technology by scammers to make their schemes more convincing.
• AI-written messages: Tools like ChatGPT are used to craft natural-sounding introductions that avoid detection.
• Deepfakes: Fake photos and videos of non-existent people make scammers appear genuine.
• Voice cloning: Some groups use 'voice swap' technology to make fake phone calls sound real.
• Crypto wallet tricks: Scammers manipulate transaction records to convince victims their ‘investments’ are growing.
In its
June 2025 Threat Intelligence Report, OpenAI says the scammers used ChatGPT to generate the initial text message containing a link to a WhatsApp chat and then quickly directed the target to Telegram, where they were assigned a task of liking videos on TikTok. "The scammers attempted to build trust in their scheme by sharing how much the target has already ‘earned’ in theory, before asking them to deposit money into a crypto account as the next task."
Recently, WhatsApp, Meta and OpenAI disrupted scam efforts linked to a criminal scam centre in Cambodia. “These attempts ranged from offering payments for fake likes to enlisting others into a rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme or luring people to invest in cryptocurrency,” Meta says in the post.
The UNODC warns that deepfake-related crimes in the Asia-Pacific region rose by 1,530% between 2022 and 2023, making it extremely difficult for ordinary users to tell what’s real and what’s fake.
The Human Cost
The financial losses from these scams are staggering. A recent review of 236 major cryptocurrency scam cases showed total losses exceeding US$60bn. Pig butchering scams accounted for a significant portion, along with romance scams and fraudulent trading platforms.
But the impact goes far beyond money. Victims often experience emotional trauma, feeling betrayed and heartbroken after realising that months of attention, affection, or friendship were carefully planned manipulation. For many, the psychological toll is as devastating as the financial loss.
How To Spot a Pig Butchering Scam
Be on alert for these warning signs:
1. Unexpected contact: A stranger messages you on WhatsApp, Telegram, or SMS.
2. Rapid shift to romance or money: The conversation quickly moves from casual chat to love or investment opportunities.
3. Moving to private apps: They ask you to continue the chat on Telegram or another platform.
4. Fake investment proof: They show screenshots or dashboards claiming huge returns.
5. Pressure to deposit money: You are urged to transfer funds into cryptocurrency accounts or unfamiliar websites.
6. Secrecy requests: They insist the opportunity is ‘secret’ and only for selected VIPs and tell you not to talk to anyone about it.
Recognising these signs early can help you avoid falling victim to a costly scam.
How To Protect Yourself
1. Don’t trust random messages: Block and report unknown numbers immediately.
2. Be cautious with online investments: Only use licensed and regulated platforms.
3. Never send money to strangers: Only transfer funds to people you have met and verified.
4. Check website addresses carefully: Scammers often create fake sites that look like legitimate ones.
5. Consult before investing: Talk to a trusted friend, family member, or financial adviser before sending money.
6. Stay informed: Follow alerts from your bank, regulators, or cybercrime agencies to keep up with the latest scams.
What To Do If You Are a Victim
1. Immediately stop all communication with the fraudster.
2. Do not send any more money, even if they threaten you.
3. Keep evidence such as screenshots, chat logs and payment records.
4. Report the account to WhatsApp, Telegram, or the platform where the scam occurred.
5. Contact your bank if you shared payment or banking details.
6. File a complaint with your local police, cybercrime unit, or consumer protection agency.
Following these steps quickly can help prevent further losses and assist authorities in investigating the scam.
Warning from the UN
The UNODC warns that these scams are now part of a growing global criminal network. Criminals are reinvesting profits to expand operations, professionalise money laundering networks and exploit new technologies like AI and blockchain.
Unless governments, banks, regulators and tech companies coordinate more closely, the problem will continue to grow, and ordinary people will keep losing billions.
Pig butchering scams are among the most devastating forms of fraud today. They combine emotional manipulation with financial trickery, leaving victims drained both emotionally and financially. While WhatsApp’s crackdown is a positive step, criminals are constantly adapting.
The best defence is awareness. If a stranger suddenly wants to chat—and later offers you love, friendship, or fast profits—be cautious. It could be the start of a very costly trap.
Stay Alert, Stay Safe!
