This Word Means: Pig butchering (scams)

The manner in which people are lured into doing such work is described as “Pig butchering scams”.

What does it have to do with pigs?

In a literal sense, not much. “Pig butchering” intends to convey how the potential victims are first “fattened up” before “slaughter”, so to speak. Scammers approach them and make enticing offers – of a job, a romantic relationship, or extraordinary amounts of money to be made through cryptocurrency or other investments.

Initially, the offer seems real and some returns are given in the case of monetary scams. This builds trust but eventually, the scammer asks the victim to click on malicious links or record objectionable photos or videos that are later used to blackmail them.

In the recent case, the victims claimed they were approached by a placement agency, which offered data entry operator jobs and good salary packages. “They accepted the offer letter, but got shocked after reaching the place where they were forced to commit online fraud by their employers. Now after their questioning, the concerned state police has been asked to take legal action against the concerned alleged placement agency, travel agent for duping them,” a source told The Indian Express.

In many cases, scammers seize their victims’ passports and ID cards to prevent their escape.

What should people keep in mind?

With the rapid advancement of technology and its increasing accessibility, it is easy for elaborate scams to be engineered. However, some common themes can generally be observed. In its public advisory, the US Secret Service says:

*Scammers will be quick to show romantic or business interest in you.

*Scammers will avoid meeting in person and showing themselves.

*Scammers will use the latest technology to assume or change their identities.

*Scammers will offer quick and easy profits, which are too good to be true.

*Scammers will often use poor spelling and grammar in messages, websites, and applications.

A crucial advisory is that one must not be embarrassed about being a victim. The shame in falling for such scams often prevents people from reporting them to the police and the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Timely reporting has at times helped victims recover some of their money.

Data from the National Cyber Reporting Platform (NCRP), under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), shows that scammers cheated people of Rs 7,496 crore in 2023 and more than 17 lakh complaints were made that year regarding such cases.

According to data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), a division under the MHA, about 45% of the cybercrimes targeted at India originate from the Southeast Asia region. As The Indian Express first reported on March 28, 2024, more than 5,000 Indians are suspected of being stuck in Cambodia and forced to carry out cyber fraud.