Online dating can be a great way to meet new people and even find love – but not everyone you meet online is who they say they are. A new kind of scam is on the rise called a romance, or a “pig butchering” scam, and it’s costing people a lot of money – sometimes their life savings.
In this article, we’ll explain what these scams are, how they work, and how you can protect yourself if you’re dating or talking to people online.
This type of scam is when someone pretends to be in a romantic relationship with you, but they’re only doing it to steal your money.
Why is it called “pig butchering”?
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Scammers “fatten you up” with compliments, attention, and affection – then “slaughter” you financially by convincing you to send money or invest in fake businesses or cryptocurrency. The result? You lose money, and they disappear.
These scams often involve organized crime groups that run entire networks to scam people around the world. And it’s more common than you might think.
How Romance Scams Usually Work
Here’s a step-by-step look at how romance scams typically happen:
- They connect with you online
It might start on a dating site, social media, or even a messaging app. They will contact you “accidentally” by text, or friend you on Facebook. I get multiple of these weekly.
The scammer usually has a fake profile with photos of an attractive person (often stolen from real people online, like soldiers, doctors, or business professionals). Me, I get cute young “girls.”
They may claim to be:
A widowed parent
A professional working overseas
Someone with a successful job who just “hasn’t found the right person”
- They build your trust (and feelings)
This part is called love bombing – they’ll message you all the time, compliment you, and talk about the future. Some even talk about getting married. They may say things like:
“I’ve never felt this way before.”
“I can’t wait to start our life together.”
“You’re the only person I trust.”
It can feel like a real relationship. But there’s one big problem: you never meet them in person, and they usually avoid video calls.
- They bring up money
After a few weeks or months, the scammer brings up an “opportunity.” This is often related to cryptocurrency investing, real estate, or a personal emergency.
They’ll say things like:
“I made a huge profit on this new crypto site—let me show you.”
“I can help you make money too – just start with a small amount.”
“My account is frozen and I need a loan. I’ll pay you back.”
They might even show you fake websites or screenshots showing your “investment” growing. But it’s all made up.
- They take your money and vanish
Once they’ve gotten as much money from you as possible, they disappear. You can’t reach them. The crypto website shuts down or your “profits” disappear. By then, it’s too late.
Some victims of pig butchering scams have lost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. In some cases, people have lost their entire retirement savings.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
If you’re talking to someone online, be cautious if you notice these signs, it could be a pig butchering scam:
- They avoid video calls or meeting in person
- They tell you they’re in love very quickly
- They ask you to move the conversation off the dating app (like to WhatsApp or Telegram)
- They bring up money, crypto, or “investing” out of the blue
- They ask for help with a personal emergency or need a loan
- Their profile photo looks too perfect (you can try a reverse image search to check if the picture is stolen)
How to Stay Safe While Dating Online
Here are some tips to protect yourself from romance and pig butchering scams:
Keep conversations on the platform
Most dating apps have safety tools built in, like scam detection and photo verification. Don’t move to another app too quickly.
Never send money to someone you haven’t met in person
That includes:
- Bank transfers
- Gift cards
- Cryptocurrency
- Payment apps like PayPal or Venmo
Use a reverse image search
If you’re suspicious, upload their profile photo to Google Images or TinEye to see if the photo is used somewhere else.
Talk to someone you trust
Tell a friend or family member about your new relationship. They may spot red flags that you don’t see.
Report suspicious profiles
Dating sites and social apps usually have tools to report users. Reporting scams helps others stay safe, too.
Final Thoughts
Pig butchering scams are heartbreaking—but they’re also preventable.
If someone you’ve never met is asking you for money or trying to get you to invest in something, it’s time to pause and ask questions. Love doesn’t require your bank account.
Staying informed is your best defense.
And remember—if it feels too good to be true, it probably is.
Stay safe out there, and always trust your instincts.
As always, if you have a question about this or any other post, please leave a comment below, or you can email me at larry@thetechboomer.com.
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