Romance Scams, "Pig Butchering," and the Expanding Landscape of Digital DeceptionIn the interest of promoting awareness within the CathInfo community, I’ve taken the liberty of assembling a brief but meaningful overview of contemporary scam typologies—particularly those involving emotional manipulation and financial exploitation. My hope is that this information not only informs you personally but equips you to educate those most susceptible within your family and social circles.
While this post cannot comprehensively catalog every variation of fraud, it aims to convey the sheer breadth and psychological sophistication of these schemes. The primary victims are often those least equipped to detect subtle coercion or fabricated intimacy—elderly relatives, emotionally isolated individuals, or the technologically naïve. However, with the level of sophistication and lightening speed of technology- we are ALL susceptible.
If your financial institution ever questions or prevents a transaction- please listen to them! We live these scams every day and can pick up on the red flags quite quickly.
This post is strictly informational in nature. I will not be engaging in debate or conjecture, though others are welcome to discuss the subject further if they so choose.
I will be posting some verbiage that is directly from the referenced links (also included).
Please let me know of any questions-thank you.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)Honestly, just read this:
https://blog.stlouisbank.com/defend-yourself-against-ai-voice-scams/Key Points: • Don’t answer unknown numbers.
• Screen calls- have someone leave you a message and then call them back.
• Eliminate or minimize any videos of yourself easily accessible by the public over the internet.
• Create a code word for family members (think of stranger danger from the 80’s)
• Eliminate as many opportunities as possible for a scammer to record your voice.
Bank/Credit Union Imposter Scams
Successful credit union/bank impersonation scams occur when members are convinced they are communicating with an actual credit union/bank representative via live voice call (Vishing), SMS text message (SMishing), or email (Phishing). But, in reality, they’re sharing confidential information with a scammer.
Red Flags• Requests sensitive information
• Threatening to suspend your account or withdraw funds
• Misspellings or odd phrasing (doesn’t appear they are fluent in the language spoken)
• Referencing a financial institution you don’t use (or a service)
• They often ask you to stay on the phone as you call or visit another institution
• They often ask you to LIE to your bank/credit union.
• Ask you to provide security answers or codes
Money MulesMoney Mules can be the primary position, or involved via a romance or “get rich quick” situation.
Signs of a Money Mule Scam/Red Flags
Work-from-Home Job Opportunities
You received an unsolicited email or social media message that promises easy money for little or no effort.
The “employer” you communicate with uses web-based email services (such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, Outlook, etc.).
You are asked to open a bank account in your own name or in the name of a company you form to receive and transfer money.
As an employee, you are asked to receive funds in your bank account and then “process” or “transfer” funds via: wire transfer, ACH, mail, or money service business (such as Western Union or MoneyGram).
You are allowed to keep a portion of the money you transfer.
Your duties have no specific job description.
Dating and Social Media Sites
An online contact or companion, whom you have never met in person, asks you to receive money and then forward these funds to one or more individuals you do not know.
Cryptocurrency Kiosks
You are directed to deposit cash into one or more cryptocurrency kiosks.
Pig Butchering
Cryptocurrency plays the lead role in this scam. It starts with gaining trust and then goes from there with the end goal of YOU LOSING MONEY!
Red Flags• Unsolicited voicemail, email, text message
• An inordinate amount of interaction with your “new friend”
• Money is the constant topic
• You never meet these folks
Romance or Charity ScamsThese scams play upon both lonely souls and souls who are most kind. The scammers prey upon those two aspects. Don’t be fooled if these folks wait a while to ask for money- it will come. Caucasian, older women are the most vulnerable.
Red Flags• They prey upon your vulnerabilities
• They prey upon your sympathy
• You never meet this person
• There is always an emergency
What Can You Do?• Do your own research.
• Discuss with family members and friends-especially the most vulnerable.
• Donate to people you know or if a good friend/family member can vouch for the person in need.
• Read through the references and watch the videos below.
• Check your bank accounts regularly and change passwords often. Make sure the passwords contain words, numbers, and symbols.
• Set up alerts via email or phone for any account changes.
• If you have an open home equity line of credit with no balance- check often.
• Visit the county website and confirm that no new recorded docuмents have been recorded against your house (deed transfer scam).
• Always trust your gut!
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References & ResourcesRomance ScamsA practical recommendation: consider using the Brave browser for your research, as it automatically blocks most intrusive ads and trackers, allowing for a more focused and private browsing experience.
For a more accessible entry point into the mechanics and psychological impact of these scams, Dr. Phil has aired a series of episodes devoted to this phenomenon. Despite the platform's popular tone, the content is grounded in real data, with illustrative examples showing how victims are manipulated, the statistical profiles of those most at risk, and a variety of scam formats currently in use.
Video series:Dr. Phil: Romance & Crypto Scams Series: In this particular episode, at the 18-minute mark, the guest talks about being a money mule:https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-romance-scamsWells Fargohttps://www.wellsfargo.com/privacy-security/fraud/bank-scams/bank-imposter/#:~:text=A%20scammer%20contacts%20you%20pretending,with%20anyone%20who%20contacts%20you.
Krebon Securityhttps://krebsonsecurity.com/2025/01/a-day-in-the-life-of-a-prolific-voice-phishing-crew/Financial Institutions
https://discoveryfcu.org/news/what-you-need-to-know-about-credit-union-impersonation-scams/#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Credit%20Union,%2C%20or%20email%20(Phishing).
https://www.gncu.org/blog/4-ways-bank-imposters-try-to-scam-you/Deed Transfer Scam: I have notifications sent from the county and visit weekly to see if anything has been recorded against our home.https://abc7.com/post/scammers-use-fake-docuмents-transfer-home-titles-heres-how-homeowners-can-protect-themselves/15678409/
Money Mules- FBI
https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/scams-and-safety/common-frauds-and-scams/money-muleshttps://www.gncu.org/blog/4-ways-bank-imposters-try-to-scam-you/Pig Butcheringhttps://nordvpn.com/blog/pig-butchering-scam/?utm_source=brave&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=761275d9-18af-4307-9327-77163309f26b&utm_term=%%BRANDED%%&utm_adset=c619ca5f-82b9-4867-9175-a6498c04cdc5&utm_content=237b1747-7573-4805-9e6b-6d8fb8b09b84
Topic: Romance Scams, "Pig Butchering," and the Expanding Landscape of Digital Deceptio (Read 901 times)