How Pig-Butchering Crypto Scams Turn Trust Into a Financial Weapon

Pig-butchering, derived from the Chinese phrase “Sha Zhu Pan,” describes a method in which scammers nurture deep personal connections over extended periods before exploiting victims for money. They often pose as confidants, advisers or successful traders, relying on persuasion and persistence rather than the urgency typical of phishing attacks; some victims engage with scammers for months before investing.

Contact usually starts on dating apps, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram or via SMS. Scammers cultivate rapport with manufactured anecdotes and fake professional achievements, then shift to a supposed high-return crypto opportunity. The scheme uses convincing screenshots and professional-looking websites, initially showing modest withdrawals to build trust and later encouraging larger deposits.

Emotional manipulation is central: perpetrators prey on loneliness, financial strain and trust in perceived experts to deepen attachment.

China

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