🐖 What is the “pig slaughter”

Digital investment scam, commonly in cryptocurrencies.

The name comes from the Chinese shā zhū pán (“pig slaughter”).

Scammers “fatten up” the victim with trust and false profits before draining their savings.

📲 How it works

It starts with casual messages on social media or messaging apps.

A relationship is built (friendship, romance, or business).

Then a “safe business” or fake investment platform is offered.

🌍 International escalation

Originating in Southeast Asia, it is now a global phenomenon.

Thousands affected and multi-million dollar losses.

Many scammers are also victims: recruited with false job offers and forced to operate under threats.

UNODC: it has become a transnational criminal industry.

Platforms like Meta have closed millions of related accounts.

🚨 Warning signs

Unexpected messages from strangers.

Promises of guaranteed profits.

Pressure to quickly transfer money or use cryptocurrencies.

Little-known platforms, without regulation or official backing.

🔎 Impact

Direct victims: lose savings and trust in the financial system.

Indirect victims: people exploited by mafias to carry out the fraud.

Governments and tech companies: face the challenge of coordinating against a global scam.

👉 In summary: the “pig slaughter” has evolved from a digital fraud to an international crisis of human rights and financial security, impacting victims, the exploited, and the capacity of states and platforms to combat it.