Pig Butchering Scam — what it is and what to do
Pig butchering (Chinese: sha zhu pan) is the most financially destructive crypto scam tracked by GACS. A stranger builds emotional trust over weeks, then funnels you into a fake trading platform. The dashboard shows profits. Withdrawals never work. This page tells you exactly how it works, the red flags, what to do if you've been hit, and a free check you can run in 4 seconds.
Match on a dating app, WhatsApp group, LinkedIn, or "wrong number" SMS. Weeks of personal conversation. Photos, voice notes, life details — all stolen or AI-generated.
"My uncle taught me a strategy." You deposit small. Dashboard shows fast profits. You withdraw a small amount successfully (their money) — trust locks in. You deposit larger.
You try to withdraw. "Tax fee." Pay it — "Liquidity fee." Pay that — "AML deposit." Every fee extracts another deposit. The balance never existed. Eventually they ghost.
Red flags — any 2 of these = pig butchering
- Stranger contacts you on a dating app, social network, or via 'wrong number' SMS and the conversation drifts to crypto trading within weeks.
- They show screenshots of their own profits on a platform you've never heard of, or mention 'my uncle in Hong Kong / Singapore / Dubai taught me'.
- The trading platform isn't on any exchange aggregator (CoinGecko, CoinMarketCap) and isn't listed on any regulator's register.
- Account dashboard shows steady profits with no losses — real markets never do this.
- You can deposit easily but withdrawals require 'tax', 'liquidity fee', 'AML deposit', or 'profit unlock'.
- They never agree to video call live, or video calls are short, low-quality, and the audio doesn't quite sync.
If you've already been pig butchered — do this
- 1
Stop sending money — now
Every additional fee request is the same scam. The balance shown on the dashboard is fiction. Block any further requests for taxes, liquidity, AML deposits, or 'profit unlock' fees.
- 2
Preserve every piece of evidence
Screenshot every chat (with timestamps), every transaction hash, every wallet address you sent to, and the full platform dashboard. Export chat history where possible. Do not delete anything — even the scammer's profile.
- 3
Report to law enforcement
File with IC3 (US), Action Fraud (UK), Cybertipline, or your national cybercrime unit. Add the wallet addresses to GACS so the next victim sees the warning. Use /report-to-authorities for a country-specific guide.
- 4
Block every 'recovery investigator'
Within days of reporting, you will be contacted by 'crypto lawyers', 'asset-recovery firms', and 'investigators' promising to get your money back for an upfront fee. Every single one is a second-stage scam feeding off the original victim list.
- 5
Get emotional support
Pig butchering attacks the victim's relationships as much as their finances. Most victims describe shame and isolation. Reach out to a therapist, the Global Anti-Scam Org, or a support community before the financial damage compounds.
Frequently asked questions
What is a pig butchering scam?
Pig butchering (Chinese: sha zhu pan, 杀猪盘) is a long-con romance-investment scam where a stranger — often met on a dating app, WhatsApp group, LinkedIn, or via a 'wrong number' text — builds emotional trust over weeks or months, then introduces a fake crypto trading platform. The victim is 'fattened up' with fabricated profits before being slaughtered: deposits are stolen, the platform invents fees to extract more, and the scammer disappears.
How do pig butchering scammers find victims?
Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Coffee Meets Bagel, WhatsApp groups, LinkedIn DMs, Instagram, and unsolicited 'wrong number' SMS are the most common entry points. The scammer always pivots from personal conversation to investment advice within 2–6 weeks.
Why can I see profits but not withdraw?
The 'platform' is custom software displaying fabricated numbers. Your deposit was moved into the scammer's wallet the moment it cleared. No tax, fee, or commission will release a balance that does not exist — every withdrawal fee request is the next stage of the scam.
Can I recover money lost to pig butchering?
Direct recovery is extremely rare. Crypto transfers route through mixers within hours. The best paths are: (1) immediate bank chargeback if you funded via debit/credit card, (2) reporting to IC3 (US), Action Fraud (UK), or your national cybercrime unit, (3) freezing the destination at the receiving exchange if known. Never pay a 'recovery agent' — they are second-stage scammers.
How do I protect a family member who I think is being scammed?
Don't accuse the scammer directly — the victim is emotionally invested and will defend them. Instead: (1) show them this page, (2) ask them to look up the platform on GACS Wallet Checker, (3) point out the universal pattern (met online → became close → introduced 'trading' → showed profits → fees on withdrawal). Most victims realise mid-conversation. Free resources: gacs.app/panic-guide.
Why is it called 'pig butchering'?
The Chinese original term 'sha zhu pan' (杀猪盘) literally means 'pig butchering plate'. The scammer 'fattens the pig' (builds trust, shows fake profits) before 'slaughtering' it (taking everything). The metaphor became standard FBI and Interpol terminology in 2022.
Why GACS is free
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