Los Angeles Times

'Pig butchering' is draining victims' bank accounts. Here's how to avoid being scammed

A pedestrian walks past a seal reading " Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation," displayed on the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building, in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 15, 2022.

Barely a day goes without a scam of some kind popping up on our phones or in our email, trying to get us to download malware, reveal a password or pay for fraudulent goods. But there's one bit of con artistry gaining traction that you definitely don't want to fall for.

It's called a "pig butchering" scheme, because the perpetrators will "fatten up" a victim to gain their trust before "butchering" them — typically by persuading them to invest

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times1 min read
Chargers Trade Up In Round 2 To Get Georgia Receiver They Coveted
LOS ANGELES — The Chargers started Day 2 of the NFL draft Friday by getting receiving help, selecting Georgia’s Ladd McConkey with the second pick of the second round, the 34th selection overall. The Chargers made a deal with New England to swap thei
Los Angeles Times3 min read
Tyler Glasnow Dominates Before Making Quick Exit In Dodgers' Sixth Consecutive Win
TORONTO — For the first time in his debut Dodgers season, there seemed to be a brief injury scare for starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow on Saturday. After six stellar, suffocating, scoreless innings in a 4-2 Dodgers win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rog
Los Angeles Times2 min read
Lakers Avoid Elimination By Holding Off Nuggets In Game 4
LOS ANGELES — LeBron James, in the Lakers’ white uniform, stood at the scorer’s table, filled his hands with chalk and tossed it into the evening air — the same as always. Yet Saturday, even if it was like the previous 11 meetings with the Denver Nug

Related Books & Audiobooks