I would like to do a PSA for people unaware of this crypto-romance scam that made me a victim on 5/20. I am humiliated, embarrassed, ashamed, and betrayed both financially and more importantly, emotionally.
I write this now as it is still fresh in my mind so that others don’t experience what I just went through. Overall I’ve lost $50k USD and there is information on YouTube, the news, and Google if you search up Pig Butchering Scam but I was unaware of this beforehand.
I found out about this on Reddit and the feeling of your stomach dropping and blood turning cold was literal for me.
The general premise and script of this scam is set long term. You may meet somebody who is usually attractive, wealthy, and overall in your opinion, the perfect partner for you.
You start talking day after day and they build up a relationship and trust with you while also subtly mentioning that they invest in crypto.
They may have an uncle, aunt, or relative that is an executive of a brokerage firm or in an upper echelon position who gives them advice that they want to share with you.
All of this happens over the course of weeks to months. None of the normal red flags appeared for me such as being overly pushy or pressure to invest, it was simply a subtle combination of wealth, attractiveness, and trust that is built up over time to win you over.
All the while in between you may be discussing about someday meeting up and being together or talking about your daily life.
Eventually they send you a link to a website or app to a brokerage that once you deposit money in, you are unlikely to withdraw.
Let me put this another way, do NOT put money in here as once it is in, it cannot be taken out. They may even show you that you can and you’ve verified it but that is part of the bait because the website is fake, the initial coin offering is fake, and the relationship was never real in the beginning.
They may also have verified that they are real by sending you a video of themselves and pictures of their daily lives but if you cannot video call or even call them live then be suspicious. Another thing to note was that if you Googled the brokerage and crypto coin they mention, you will find no information either negative or positive.
For me, this was both an expensive and a cheap lesson. Expensive short term but cheap in the greater scheme of things. I came to terms really quickly the day I realized I’d been conned and can even respect them for being outwitted because I definitely did not see it coming. I just have not forgiven myself for being so utterly stupid and blind to love. I guess I am still naïve and I’ve yet to tell my family out of shame, humiliation, and embarrassment.
I urge anyone who is involved with any of the above details to double check and trust what your brain is telling you, NOT your heart. From statistics, most victims were between the ages of 25-40 with 88% having a bachelors or better. Two thirds were women and one third are men with me now being an additional statistic. https://www.globalantiscam.org/post/statistics-of-crypto-romance-pig-butchering-scam
