Pig-butchering scams; Cyber fraud built on emotional manipulation
HYDERABAD: Pig-butchering scams, a form of long-con cyber fraud built on emotional manipulation, are rising sharply across countries, with losses touching unprecedented levels.
Romance fraud wipes out ₹4 crore of Indo-American engineer
A 37-year-old Indo-American software engineer living in Philadelphia met a man on a dating app who introduced himself with a numeric-style nickname and claimed to be a French wine trader. He built trust through frequent chats and video calls, enquiring about her health and food habits, and presenting himself as a well-wisher.
Recently divorced, she trusted him completely. After months of digital conversations, he told her he was investing for his future and urged her to do the same. He sent her a link and persuaded her to put in all her savings. She later realised he was a cyber fraudster and had already siphoned off USD 4.5 lakh, roughly ₹4 crore.
Metro cities report ₹1,500 crore losses in six months
Such frauds, globally called pig-butchering scams, rely on identifying emotionally vulnerable people like recent divorcees, those in financial stress, and elderly parents living alone while their children are abroad. Offenders share fake personal photos and videos, pretend affection, gain emotional trust and then lure victims into crypto or share-trading “opportunities”. Small early profits are shown to trap victims further before they are drained of their savings.
In Hyderabad, a man from Banjara Hills lost ₹8.41 crore and a 41-year-old businessman from Patancheru, Muthangi lost ₹4.89 crore in similar frauds.
According to the Global Anti-Scam Organisation(GASO), several scam networks forcibly employ youths by luring them with job promises, seizing their passports and compelling them to run these fraud operations.
Most victims first empty their savings accounts; GASO notes that 77% fall in this category. Others borrow from friends or banks, sell shares or liquidate property to pay fraudsters.
India accounts for 56% of money lost to such scams
The term “pig butchering” originated in China in 2016, referring to the method of fattening pigs before slaughter, a metaphor for grooming victims before wiping out their funds. The networks trace back to Cambodia, Myanmar and regions of the Golden Triangle.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation reported that victims in the United States lost USD 3.5 billion (over ₹31,000 crore) to these scams within a year. Officials believe many more cases go unreported.
In India, 56% of all money lost to cybercrime is linked to such scams, according to the Union home ministry. In the last eight months alone, nearly 30,000 people in metro cities lost about ₹1,500 crore. Bengaluru, Delhi and Hyderabad account for 65% of these cases.
In 2024, cybercriminals siphoned off ₹1,866 crore in Telangana. Of this, ₹611 crore which is nearly 32%, came from pig-butchering scams, though they make up only 5% of total cybercrime cases.
How to stay safe
Cybersecurity officials advise citizens
- To avoid responding to random messages like “hello” on WhatsApp or any social media platforms.
- To be cautious when someone tries to revive an old friendship online.
- No financial transaction should be made with people known only through online conversations.
- Any invitation to invest in cryptocurrency or share trading from such contacts should be treated with suspicion.
