Pig butchering is a long-con fraud in which a scammer builds trust with a target over days or weeks before introducing a fake investment, romance, or business opportunity. The name comes from the idea of “fattening” the victim with attention and confidence before pushing them to send money, usually through bank transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
In cyber security, this term matters because it blends social engineering with payment fraud. The attacker may use messaging apps, dating platforms, or social media to maintain a convincing persona, then pressure the victim with urgency, profit claims, or repeated small wins. Once funds are sent, they are often moved quickly through crypto wallets, exchanges, or mule accounts to hide the trail. Defenses focus on verification, slowing down transfers, checking identities through a separate channel, and treating unsolicited investment advice or urgent payment requests as warning signs.