In the ever-evolving landscape of cybercrime, fraudsters continuously devise new schemes to exploit unsuspecting individuals. One of the most insidious and rapidly growing scams is known as “pig butchering.” This scam was developed by Asian organized crime groups/gangs and initially targeted individuals in China then moved to the United States. Despite its seemingly bizarre name, this scam has ensnared thousands of victims worldwide, causing significant financial and emotional damage.

UNDERSTANDING PIG BUTCHERING

Pig butchering is a scam where fraudsters cultivate long-term relationships with their victims to extract substantial sums of money. The term “pig butchering” derives from the analogy of fattening a pig before slaughter. In this scenario, the “pig” is the victim, and the “fattening” refers to the process of building trust and encouraging the victim to invest more money over time. The “butchering” occurs when the fraudsters disappear with the accumulated funds.

These types of investment scams may include pyramid or Ponzi schemes, high yield investment fraud, “pump and dump” schemes, advance fee schemes, real estate investment fraud, or schemes involving precious metals and coins or cryptocurrencies.

THE ANATOMY OF PIG BUTCHERING SCAMS

Initial Contact– The first step in a pig butchering scam is establishing contact with the target. This can happen through various channels, including social media platforms, dating apps, professional networking sites, or even unsolicited emails and text messages. They might control an app or website that you engage with. The scammer often poses as a friendly, trustworthy individual with a convincing backstory.

Building Trust– Once contact is made, the scammer invests considerable time and effort in building a relationship with the victim. This stage can last weeks or even months. The scammer may engage in daily conversations, share personal stories, and offer emotional support. The goal is to create a sense of trust and intimacy.

Introduction to Investment Opportunities– After establishing trust, the scammer introduces the victim to an investment opportunity. This could be in the form of cryptocurrency, forex trading (buying and selling of foreign currencies), real estate, or any other lucrative-sounding venture. The scammer often shares fake success stories, fabricated testimonials, and manipulated investment returns to make the opportunity appear legitimate and highly profitable. Sometimes, victims are added to a group chat with many people discussing investments. The group is all scammers, or it might just be one person using multiple profiles.

The Fattening Process– As the victim begins to invest, the scammer encourages them to increase their investment, often by showing them false profits and returns. The victim, believing they are making substantial gains, is lured into investing more money. This process of continuous investment is referred to as “fattening.” Pig butchering scammers are ruthless, once you’ve “invested” all the cash you have, they will ask you to dig into retirement savings and then try to convince you to borrow money and go into debt.

The Butchering– Eventually, once the scammer believes they have extracted the maximum possible funds from the victim, they disappear, taking the entire investment with them. And if the scammer has access to the victim’s bank account, they will empty it. The victim is left with nothing, often discovering that the investment platform or opportunity was entirely fake.

IDENTIFYING PIG BUTCHERING SCAMS

Recognizing the signs of pig butchering scams can be challenging, given the sophisticated methods employed by fraudsters. However, certain red flags can help identify potential scams:

Too Good to Be True– One of the most common signs of any scam, including pig butchering, is the promise of extraordinarily high returns with little to no risk. If an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Legitimate investments typically offer reasonable returns commensurate with the level of risk involved.

Unsolicited Contact– Be wary of unsolicited or ‘accidental’ contact from individuals offering investment opportunities, especially if they approach you through social media, dating apps, or emails. Genuine investment professionals rarely reach out to potential clients in this manner.

Pressure to Invest Quickly– Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure victims into making quick decisions. They may claim that the opportunity is time-sensitive or that delaying investment will result in missed profits. Legitimate investment opportunities do not require immediate decisions and allow time for due diligence.

Lack of Verifiable Information– Before investing, always verify the credentials of the individual and the legitimacy of the investment opportunity. Scammers often provide fake or misleading information.  Consult the websites of federal and state regulatory authorities and online corporate records concerning any proposed investment, investment firm, or anyone representing themselves to be a broker or similar. Request to review financial statements, annual reports, or audit results for any proposed investment. Conduct thorough research, check for reviews and testimonials, and verify the authenticity of the investment platform.

Request for Personal Information– Be cautious if the individual requests sensitive personal information, such as bank account details, social security numbers, or identification documents. This information can be used for identity theft or other fraudulent activities.

PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM PIG BUTCHERING SCAMS

Conduct Due Diligence– Before making any investment, conduct thorough research. Verify the credentials of the individual or company offering the investment. Look for independent reviews, testimonials, and any regulatory actions or warnings. Use reputable sources and consult with financial professionals if needed.

Trust Your Instincts– If something feels off or too good to be true, trust your instincts. Do not let the scammer’s persuasive tactics override your better judgment. Take your time to evaluate the opportunity and seek advice from trusted sources.

Use Reputable Platforms– When investing, use reputable and well-established platforms. Avoid investing through unknown or unverified websites or apps. Reputable platforms have security measures in place to protect your funds and personal information.

Educate Yourself– Stay informed about common investment scams and fraud tactics. Knowledge is a powerful tool in protecting yourself from falling victim to scams. Regularly update yourself on the latest trends in financial fraud and share this information with friends and family.

Report Suspicious Activity– If you suspect that you have been targeted by a pig butchering scam or any other investment fraud, report it to the relevant authorities as quickly as possible. In the United States, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), local police (ask to speak to a financial crimes detective) and/or your state’s Attorney General’s office. Reporting scams helps authorities take action against fraudsters and prevent others from becoming victims. You should also notify your bank immediately about the suspicious activity. The longer you wait, the harder it is for your bank to reverse any fraudulent transactions and for law enforcement to trace, freeze or seize stolen funds.

OUR TEAM IS HERE TO HELP

Pig butchering scams are a serious threat to unsuspecting investors. By understanding the tactics used by scammers and recognizing the red flags, you can protect yourself from falling victim to such schemes. Always conduct thorough research, trust your instincts, and use reputable platforms for your investments. Stay informed and vigilant to safeguard your financial well-being.

However, if you are a victim of a “pig butchering” scam, you may want to consider hiring someone to help you recover your assets.  Getting a professional’s help- like a lawyer and financial investigator- can be crucial because these scams are often complex, involve intricate manipulation tactics, and can span across multiple jurisdictions, making it extremely difficult to navigate the recovery process on your own. Professionals can assist in:

• understanding the legal complexities,
• reporting the crime to relevant authorities,
• attempting to recover lost funds,
• providing emotional support during a stressful situation,
• gathering evidence- digital evidence like chat logs, transaction records, and screenshots, are vital for building a strong case against the scammers. Documentation can also help you if you need to make a case to the IRS, asking for tax relief on money you no longer have.

Before hiring anyone, thoroughly vet potential professionals to ensure they have relevant experience. Be cautious of companies promising guaranteed recovery of lost funds, as these could be additional scams targeting victims. Mercadien’s professionals can provide a ‘realty check,’ advising you per your specific circumstances with an objective mind and the relevant experience to help you make an informed decision. If you decide to investigate and pursue recovery, Mercadien’s Forensic & Litigation Support Group has the skills and experience to help you  navigate the process. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist your organization.

DISCLAIMER: This advisory resource is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute business or tax advice and may not be used and relied upon as a substitute for business or tax advice regarding a specific issue or problem. Advice should be obtained from a qualified accountant, tax practitioner or attorney licensed to practice in the jurisdiction where that advice is sought.