If you’ve received a vague “Hi” or “Hey, is this Jennifer?” message from an unknown number, it might seem like a harmless mistake—or even mildly amusing. But these seemingly innocent texts are often the start of a highly calculated scam known as pig butchering.

What begins as a wrong number can quickly evolve into a long-con that blends romance fraud with cryptocurrency investment deception. And for thousands of victims worldwide, it ends in financial devastation.

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The “Hi” Text Isn’t Random

These messages aren’t random—scammers send them in bulk, often to lists of real, active phone numbers obtained from data leaks or social scraping. The goal is simple: get a response. If you reply, even politely, it confirms your number is real and that you’re willing to engage.

From there, the scammer begins building rapport, often posing as a friendly stranger or someone new to town. Over time, the conversation shifts toward cryptocurrency investing—offering what seems like a low-risk, high-reward opportunity that feels personal and trustworthy.

Why would a scammer contact me specifically with these random texts?

Scammers often use automated systems to send thousands of messages to random phone numbers simultaneously. They know that if they cast a wide enough net, some people will respond. The scammer may also have obtained your number through data breaches, purchased contact lists, or social media. They’re not targeting you specifically at first—they’re simply looking for anyone who responds. Once you engage, however, they begin personalizing their approach based on information they gather from your conversations and any public information they can find about you online.

What are the warning signs that a random text is actually a crypto scam?

Key warning signs include: receiving messages from international numbers; the texter claiming they messaged you by accident but continuing the conversation; their quick pivot to discussing their financial success or investment opportunities; their reluctance to video chat or meet in person; pressuring you to invest quickly; directing you to unfamiliar trading platforms instead of established exchanges; promises of unrealistic returns; and their resistance when you try to withdraw funds. The perpetrator might also share polished photos that appear too professional, suggesting they’re stolen from elsewhere.

What Is Pig Butchering?

Named after the idea of “fattening up the pig before slaughter,” pig butchering scams involve cultivating trust over weeks or months before coercing victims into large financial investments.

These scams typically use fake crypto trading platforms that show fabricated profits to encourage larger investments. Initially, victims may be able to withdraw small amounts to build trust, but as they invest more, withdrawals are blocked or delayed with excuses about fees, taxes, or verification steps. Eventually, the scammer disappears—and the platform, along with the money, is gone.

According to the FBI’s 2023 IC3 Report, Americans lost over $3.5 billion to investment fraud in 2022, with a growing portion attributed to these crypto romance scams.

How do pig butchering scams work, and why are they called that?

The NPR podcast “Planet Money” released an episode titled “The secret world behind those scammy text messages,” an in-depth examination of how these operations work and why they’ve become so prevalent if you more into the podcast learning on this issue.

Pig butchering scams work through a methodical process where scammers “fatten up” their victims before “slaughtering” them financially. First, they initiate contact through a seemingly innocent message that doesn’t immediately raise suspicions.

After establishing rapport, they gradually transition to discussing their financial success through crypto or other investments. They show screenshots of supposed profits and encourage you to invest smaller amounts that don’t immediately raise alarms.

Once you see initial “returns” on their fake platform, they encourage larger investments. Finally, when you try to withdraw funds, you discover everything was fraudulent, and your money is gone.

Are these scammers usually individuals or organized groups?

Most pig butchering scams are run by sophisticated transnational criminal organizations rather than individuals. These operations often have a corporate-like structure with different people handling various aspects of the scam. Some employees manage initial contact, others build relationships, and specialists handle the investment fraud conversations.

A Global Operation Fueled by Human Trafficking

Many operations are based in Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, often employing human trafficking victims forced to work as scammers. These criminal enterprises invest in technology, scripts, and training to maximize their effectiveness and operate across multiple countries to evade law enforcement.

These scams aren’t run by lone cybercriminals. Many are operated by organized crime networks based in Southeast Asia. Investigations by ProPublica and others have revealed that human trafficking victims—many tricked into bogus tech jobs—are forced to run fake identities and manage dozens of scam targets simultaneously.

This brutal reality adds another layer to the crime: people are being exploited to exploit others.

Why do these scammers prefer cryptocurrency for their fraudulent schemes?

Scammers prefer cryptocurrency for several key reasons: transactions are irreversible, unlike bank transfers that can potentially be recalled; crypto provides relative anonymity, making it harder to identify the fraudster; cross-border transactions occur instantly without the regulatory oversight of traditional banking; many victims have limited understanding of how cryptocurrency works, making it easier to confuse them with technical jargon; and the legitimate high returns some have made in crypto markets make unrealistic promises seem more plausible.

Additionally, the novelty of cryptocurrency means many potential victims don’t recognize common warning signs that they might notice in traditional investment scams, especially those linked to pig butchering.

Why are pig butchering scams so effective compared to other investment fraud schemes?

Pig butchering scams are particularly effective because they operate on a slow-burn approach that builds trust over time. Unlike scams demanding immediate action, these fraudsters invest weeks or months cultivating relationships.

They often pose as successful professionals, creating credible personas that don’t immediately raise suspicions. They show “proof” of earnings through manipulated screenshots and may even allow you to withdraw small amounts initially to prove legitimacy.

The fraudulent trading platforms look sophisticated and professional. Most importantly, they exploit emotional connections—whether romantic interest or mentor-like relationships—making victims less likely to question the investment opportunity.

Common Scammer Red Flags to Watch For

If you’ve received a message from a stranger that seems overly friendly or flirty, especially one that leads to conversations about crypto, look out for these warning signs:

  • A wrong number or vague message like “Hi” or “Is this [name]?”

  • The person avoids video calls or direct personal details

  • The conversation quickly shifts to WhatsApp, Telegram, or Signal

  • Promises of guaranteed profits from crypto investing

  • A push to use unfamiliar apps or websites with impressive dashboards

  • Difficulty withdrawing money after investing

How to Protect Yourself

  • Don’t respond to unknown texts—even if they seem polite or accidental

  • Block suspicious numbers and report them to your mobile provider

  • Be skeptical of investment tips from online acquaintances

  • Research any trading platform or app independently before investing

  • Report suspected fraud to IC3.gov (FBI) or ReportFraud.ftc.gov

I’ve already invested money with someone who contacted me this way. What should I do?

If you believe you’re a victim of a scam, first stop all communication with the perpetrator and cease any further investments, as the secret service may be involved in investigating such cases. Document everything: save all conversations, transaction details, and screenshots of the investment platform. Report the incident to your local police, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the FTC, and your financial institutions immediately.

If you shared personal information, monitor your credit reports and consider placing a fraud alert. While recovery of funds is unfortunately often difficult with cryptocurrency scams, reporting helps authorities track these crimes and might prevent others from becoming victims.

How can I avoid becoming a pig butchering victim and protect myself from online investment scams?

To avoid scams, never invest based on advice from strangers who contact you unsolicited, especially via text or dating apps. Research all investment opportunities thoroughly using official sources. Only use regulated, well-established trading platforms to protect yourself from online scams.

Be skeptical of promises of guaranteed returns or pressure to act quickly, as these are common strategies used by scammers in online dating scenarios.

Verify the identity of anyone discussing investments with you through video calls or in-person meetings to avoid falling victim to scammers.

Consult with a financial advisor before making significant investments. Remember that legitimate investments don’t require sending cryptocurrency to individual wallets.

Finally, understand that if something sounds too good to be true in terms of investment returns, it almost certainly is fraudulent.

Stay Informed and Stay Safe

Scams are evolving. What starts with a friendly message can lead to emotional manipulation and financial loss. Staying informed is your first line of defense.

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