It often starts with "Sorry, wrong number."
Direct answer
A pig butchering scam is a long-running fraud in which a scammer builds trust with a victim, often through a wrong-number message or dating app, and then guides them to invest in a fake platform, usually involving crypto. The app shows fake profits, but withdrawals are blocked or require more fees.
How it unfolds
- Contact: a random message or friendly chat.
- Trust: daily messages for weeks.
- The tip: "my uncle taught me an investment trick".
- A small win: you invest a little and can withdraw.
- A big investment: you add more.
- The trap: withdrawals fail, fees appear, the platform disappears.
Red flags
- A stranger talking about investing.
- A platform you cannot find in regulator lists.
- Pressure to deposit more.
- Fees to withdraw.
What to do
Stop sending money, keep records and report it to your bank, platform and authorities.
Where Teyro fits
Teyro's How Scams and Financial Fraud Work course turns this into short lessons you can play in a few minutes a day. It has 50 lessons, and you can start free.
The bottom line
Do not invest on the advice of someone you only know online. This is general education, not advice.
This is general education, not personal financial advice.
