You may have recently received a text message from a mysterious Sophie who wrong number ? Or a message on WhatsApp from a supposed recruiter who spotted your profile? Be careful, you are probably the target of a scam fearsome called Pig Butchering (literally “pig butchery”). And believe me, I know what I'm talking about since I was recently targeted!
Let me tell you my own experience with this scam. Recently, I received a message from a certain Aisha who was supposedly looking for his friend Mila in Paris. Despite my courteous responses telling her that she was wrong, she persisted, complimenting my kindness and trying to find out more about me. I didn't know about this type of scam at all, but then I could have told him “Aisha, take it all for you”I blocked the number before the conversation went any further and I found myself in the middle of a Metoo scandal.
After sharing this message on X (Twitter) for a little laugh, I then discovered the name of this practice and that I was not the only one who had been targeted.
Moreover, according to the latest data from Metamore than 2 million accounts related to these scams have been removed this year alone. And the fight is intensifying since OpenAI recently helped Mark Zuckerberg's company by identifying a new scam complex in Cambodia, while an unprecedented coalition bringing together Match Group, Meta, Coinbase and other tech giants is trained to combat this scourge.
The scammers operate from centers in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and even the United Arab Emirates. These criminal networks are increasingly better organized and, according to a recent study cited by Bloomberg, have already extracted more than 75 billion dollars to their victims since 2020. Then don't ask what the money is used for, but I imagine financing mafia networks that do even more disgusting things.
But how exactly does this nightmarish scam worthy of an episode of Black Mirror work?
The principle is terribly effective: the crooks patiently “fatten” you, like a breeder with his pig, before “killing” you financially. You are their little piglet of love!
First step: le contact initial.
Scammers use personalized messages like the one I just showed you, which seem harmless. Exactly as I experienced: “I got the wrong number”, “I am interested in your CV”… The goal is to start a conversation that feels natural. I admit, I believed it.
Second step: building confidence.
The scammer develops a friendly or romantic relationship over several weeks. Carefully chosen photos, carefully crafted stories, common interests… Everything is calculated to give you confidence. It's more elaborate than the Inception storyline! And as long as we're a little alone in life, it's quick to fall in love with the first person who takes a little interest in us.
Third step: the lure of gain.
Once the connection is made, the scammer then starts talking about investment opportunities “guarantees”cryptocurrencies, trading, innovative projects… The trap closes slowly… Then you send out the transfers to invest in all this bullshit and you're done!
Hard, huh?
But rest assured, I will give you some keys to thwarting this scam.
- First of all, be wary of overly friendly strangers. If someone you don't know insists on becoming your friend, keep your distance. Even if her photos look like those of a model straight out of “Silicon Valley”.
- Never share personal information.
- Always check the authenticity of investment platforms. If you are offered a golden opportunity on “CryptoSuperMegaProfit.com”, run away faster than an overheating processor.
- Don't give in to pressure. Scammers excel at creating a sense of urgency. “Offer expires in 24 hours”, “It's now or never”…
- Report scam attempts. And use the platforms' reporting tools (Meta, WhatsApp…) and do not hesitate to contact the authorities. Every report helps fight these criminal networks. You shouldn't be ashamed, because anyone can be fooled.
The most terrifying thing about this story is that behind these scams there is often a network of human exploitation. Thousands of people are forced to work in “scam centers” in Southeast Asia, under threat of physical violence. This is the other side of the story of our hyperconnected world. I invite you to watch this video. Thanks to Centho who sent it to me.
In short, if you receive a message similar to the one I received, don't stress. These scammers are professionals who attempt to exploit our emotional vulnerabilities with surgical precision. Then immediately block the number and report it. The more vigilant we are collectively, the more difficult we will make life for these criminal networks.
And as Agent Smith would say: “Humans are a virus” so stay on your guard and spread the information around you.
And don't forget these 2 things:
- If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it sure is.
- We're all ugly as lice, so there's zero chance that this beautiful, kind, intelligent woman whose photos you're receiving will be interested in you.
Good luck, we're together!
Source
