Category: Financial & banking

Pig butchering & crypto romance scams

If someone you met online asks you to invest in crypto or a "private platform," it is almost certainly a scam. Do not send more money for "fees" or "tax" to withdraw.

How it often plays out

Over weeks, “Alex” meets Lisa on a dating app, chats daily, and gains her trust. Then Alex suggests investing in crypto together on a “private platform.” Lisa deposits thousands; the balance grows. When she wants to withdraw, the site asks for more “tax” and “fees.” Alex and the platform disappear. The relationship was the bait; the fake investment was the slaughter. These "pig butchering" schemes can last months and drain a victim's savings before they realize they have never met the person and the platform was never real.

By the numbers

Pig butchering scams have caused hundreds of millions in reported losses in the U.S. alone.
Scammers often build trust over weeks or months before suggesting "investments."

How to spot it

Common red flags: pressure to act immediately, requests for payment by gift card or wire, offers that seem too good to be true, or unsolicited requests for your personal or financial details.

Do's and don'ts

Do

Stop sending money.
Save everything: chat logs, platform URLs, wallet addresses, transaction hashes.
Report to the FBI IC3 and the FTC with wallet addresses and transaction IDs.

Don't

Pay "fees" or "taxes" to withdraw—it is part of the scam.
Invest on a platform recommended by someone you only know online.
Assume the relationship is real; scammers build trust for weeks or months.

Summary & what to do

Scammers build a relationship over time (dating app, social media, or messaging) then convince you to "invest" in a fake crypto or trading platform. You cannot withdraw your money. Report to IC3 and the FTC.

What to do right now

Stop sending money. Do not pay "fees" or "taxes" to withdraw—it is part of the scam.
Save everything: chat logs, platform URLs, wallet addresses, transaction hashes.
Report to the FBI IC3 and the FTC. Include wallet addresses and transaction IDs.

Where to report

Who: The FBI's IC3 is the main place to report pig butchering and crypto fraud.

When to use: Use when you were lured into a fake investment via a relationship.

What to prepare:

Wallet addresses
Transaction hashes
Platform URL
Screenshots

Go to IC3~10 min

Who: The FTC collects reports of romance and investment scams.

When to use: Use to report the scam.

What to prepare:

What happened
Amount lost
How you met them

FTC ReportFraud~5 min

Frequently asked questions

I think I am in a pig butchering scam. What do I do?: Stop sending any money. Do not pay "fees" or "tax" to withdraw—you will not get your money back that way. Save all chats, platform URLs, wallet addresses, and transaction IDs. Report to the FBI IC3 and FTC.
Can I get my money back?: Recovery is difficult because funds are often moved quickly and overseas. Reporting to IC3 and the FTC helps law enforcement and may help in some cases. Never pay more in the hope of "unlocking" funds.