“Hello, is this Anna?": Unpacking the Lifecycle of Pig-Butchering Scams

I have been getting an increasing number of these random "wrong number" texts. Never reply to these, just delete them. It is almost certainly an initial attempt at some form of fraud to perpetrate — likely this "pig-butchering" scam. It is a horrible name.

In this paper, we present the first qualitative analysis of pig-butchering scams, informed by in-depth semi-structured interviews with N= 26 victims. We capture nuanced, first-hand accounts from victims, providing insight into the lifecycle of pig-butchering scams and the complex emotional and financial manipulation involved. We systematically analyze each phase of the scam, revealing that perpetrators employ tactics such as staged trust-building, fraudulent financial platforms, fabricated investment returns, and repeated high-pressure tactics, all designed to exploit victims' trust and financial resources over extended periods. Our findings reveal an organized scam lifecycle characterized by emotional manipulation, staged financial exploitation, and persistent reengagement efforts that amplify victim losses. We also find complex psychological and financial impacts on victims, including heightened vulnerability to secondary scams.

This is a long, clinically worded paper but worth reading to get a good sense of the methodology used by the criminals. Be on the lookout, not just for yourself, but for others as well.