Romance and investment scams (and the crypto twist)
Some scams are quick. These are slow. Someone builds a warm relationship over weeks, a partner, a friend, a mentor, and only later steers you toward sending money or "investing" in something that does not exist. The patience is the point.
How the romance scam works
You meet online, on a dating app, on social media, or through a "wrong number" text that turns friendly. They are warm and attentive fast. But there is always a reason they cannot meet or video-call. Eventually comes a crisis (a medical bill, a stuck shipment, a travel emergency) that needs your money.
The investment, or "pig-butchering", twist
In a common version, the relationship becomes a pipeline into a fake investment or crypto platform that shows made-up profits to pull you in deeper. You may be allowed to "withdraw" a small amount early to build trust. When you try to take out the real balance, there are sudden fees and taxes, and then silence.
The red flags
They will not video-call or meet in person. They move you off the app to a private chat quickly. Strong feelings come fast. Money, or a "sure thing" investment, eventually enters the picture, on a platform only they introduced you to.
How to protect yourself and others
Never send money or crypto to someone you have not met in person. A real partner or friend does not need you to fund a crisis or join their investment. Try a reverse image search on their photos. And tell someone you trust before sending anything: scammers rely on secrecy and isolation, so talking to a friend or family member often breaks the spell.
The short version
- A partner who will never video-call or meet is a major red flag.
- Never send money or crypto to someone you met online and haven't met in person.
- "Pig-butchering" pairs a relationship with a fake investment showing fake gains.
- Talk to someone you trust before sending money; scammers rely on secrecy.
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Common questions
How do I know if an online relationship is a scam?
Big warning signs: they never video-call or meet, they move you to a private chat quickly, feelings escalate fast, and eventually money or an "investment" comes up. If you have not met in person, do not send money.
What is pig-butchering?
A scam that builds a romantic or friendly relationship, then lures you into a fake investment or crypto platform showing fake profits, to get you to invest more, until you cannot withdraw and the scammer disappears.
They let me withdraw a small amount, so it must be real?
No. Allowing a small early withdrawal is a deliberate tactic to build trust so you invest much more. The larger balance is never paid out.