Free tool · romance-investment fraud
Pig-Butchering Scam Checklist
“Pig butchering” (sha zhu pan) is a scam where someone builds a warm online relationship, then lures you into a fake crypto or forex investment. Learn how it works, the red flags — then check the signs you recognize to see how closely it matches.
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What Is a Pig-Butchering Scam?
Pig butchering — from the Chinese “sha zhu pan” — is a long-con fraud that blends a fake romance or friendship with a bogus investment, usually in crypto or forex. The scammer “fattens” the victim with attention and small wins before the “slaughter”: draining everything they can.
It is now one of the costliest scams in the world, taking tens of billions of dollars a year. Because trust is built slowly and the fake platform looks professional, victims often don’t realise until the money is gone.
How Pig-Butchering Scams Work
First contact
It often starts with a “wrong number” text, a dating-app match, or a friendly direct message on social media. The approach feels random and low-pressure.
Building trust
Over days, weeks, or months they become a warm friend or romantic partner — attentive, complimentary, always available. No money is mentioned yet. This is the “fattening”.
Introducing the investment
They mention how well they’re doing in crypto or forex, often through a “mentor” or a special app, and offer to show you. The platform looks slick and professional — and is completely fake.
Letting you win
Your first small investment shows quick profits, and they may even let you withdraw once. It feels real and safe, so you put in more — sometimes your savings, or borrowed money.
The slaughter
When you try to withdraw a larger amount, you can’t. You’re told to pay a “tax”, “fee”, or “deposit” first to unlock it. That’s the trap closing: the profits were never real, and any fee you pay is lost too.
Red Flags to Watch For
- You met online and have never met in person — and they always have a reason to avoid a live video call.
- The relationship turned affectionate, or they became a generous “mentor”, unusually fast.
- They steer the conversation toward an investment — usually crypto or forex — on a platform you’d never heard of.
- You’re shown large, steady, almost guaranteed returns.
- You’re urged to act quickly, invest more, or even borrow money to do it.
- You can’t withdraw your money without first paying a fee or tax.
How to Use This Checklist
Tick every sign below that matches your situation — or that of someone you’re worried about. Each is weighted by how strongly it points to a scam, and a few decisive signs (like being unable to withdraw without paying a fee) raise the risk on their own. You’ll get an instant read and the actions to take. It gives you an indication, not a definitive verdict — when in doubt, stop moving money and talk to someone you trust.
Run the Checklist
Check the signs that apply
Tick anything you recognize above. As you do, we’ll show how strongly this matches a pig-butchering scam — and what to do next.
If You’ve Already Invested
Stop sending money now — and never pay a fee or tax to “unlock” a withdrawal; that is the scam continuing. Then report it. Reporting helps investigators and can occasionally aid recovery.
- FBI IC3 — ic3.gov · internet crime & fraud
- FTC — reportfraud.ftc.gov · scams & imposters
- CFTC — cftc.gov/complaint · investment & crypto fraud
In India, call 1930 and file at cybercrime.gov.in. And read how to get your money back after a scam — including why you should ignore any “recovery” service that asks for an upfront fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the risk score work?
Each red flag is weighted by how strongly it indicates a scam, and certain critical signs raise the risk level on their own. The tool combines these into an overall risk band. It runs entirely in your browser — your answers are never transmitted or stored.
What is the single biggest red flag?
Being unable to withdraw your money, or being told you must first pay a “tax”, “fee”, or “deposit” to unlock a withdrawal. On a real platform, your money is your money. This is the classic sign that the “profits” you are seeing are fake.
We’ve talked for months and the person seems genuine. Could it still be a scam?
Yes — that is by design. These scammers invest weeks or months building a real-feeling relationship precisely so you will trust them with money. Length of contact is not proof of safety.
Can I get my money back?
It’s difficult, especially with crypto, but act fast: stop paying, report it, and contact your bank or the exchange with transaction details in case funds can be frozen. And ignore anyone who promises to “recover” your funds for a fee — that’s a follow-up scam.
Is my information safe in this checklist?
Yes. Nothing you tick is sent to us, stored, or shared. The whole checklist runs in your browser.
Last reviewed: August 2026
Keep Going
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