"Pig Butchering" Crypto Romance
I have an investment opportunity — you'll love the returns
A blend of romance scam and investment fraud. After building trust (sometimes over months), the scammer "casually" mentions their success with cryptocurrency or stock trading. They encourage you to invest on a specific platform (which they control). You see fake profits, invest more, then can't withdraw anything.
What to Watch For
- New "friend" or romantic interest brings up investing unprompted
- Recommends a specific trading platform you've never heard of
- Shares screenshots of big profits to build credibility
- Offers to "help" you invest or even invest on your behalf
Examples
""By the way, I've been investing in crypto through this platform and I've made over $50,000 in the last few months. I set up an account for you — you should see a lot of growth. The more you invest, the better the returns.""
Why it works: Combines the emotional bond of a relationship with the financial appeal of easy money. Victims are called "pigs" and the buildup is called "fatting" — the final loss is the "butchering."
What to Do
Never invest money on a platform recommended by someone you met online. Verify any investment platform with the SEC and FINRA. If a romantic interest is pushing you to invest, it's a scam.