Today we are launching a new series that will map the latest and most widespread crypto scams that you, as regular internet users, may encounter. And we’re starting off with a bang – a scam that must have been devised by some kind of sociopath. It uses financial manipulation combined with emotional gut-wrenching. If you’re interested, read on.
Article content:
- Pig-butchering A new scam in the age of online dating
- Smarter pigs need smarter traps Various forms of crypto fraud
- The epidemic of gutted pigs and fraudulent Asian centers
- Czechs are the second most targeted – Globalized crypto fraud
- The perfect date – Artificial intelligence helps crypto scams achieve perfection
- Is there anything that can be done about it?
Pig-butchering A new scam in the age of online dating
Over the past three months, one of the most dangerous forms of digital fraud has flooded Central Europe: the pig-butchering scam. The name sounds bizarre, but it’s apt. Pig-butchering means gutting a pig. The perpetrators first “fatten” the victim with trust, promises, and emotions—and only then do they “slaughter” them for all their savings.
The basic mechanism is simple but psychologically sophisticated. The scammer makes contact via a dating site, social network, or WhatsApp message. They pose as an educated investor, successful entrepreneur, or someone who “has free time because they live in the markets.” The conversation drags on for weeks. An emotional bond slowly forms between the victim and the perpetrator. And when trust has matured, an “investment opportunity” arises.
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Smarter pigs need smarter traps Various forms of crypto fraud
A sophisticated but fake trading platform appears on the scene. The user interface looks serious, displaying “profits” and trading history. The victim actually sees their cryptocurrencies grow. They can even “withdraw” part of the funds to make the illusion work. Only then does the call for a larger investment come – supposedly for a “premium account” or “time-limited trade.” Once the money is gone, the website disappears.
The epidemic of gutted pigs and fraudulent Asian centers
Police in Germany and Poland are reporting dozens of new cases. And it’s not just a few euros. Losses are usually in the hundreds of thousands of euros per person. In addition, it has been found that a large part of the fraud is based in Southeast Asia. The “call centers” there often employ people in forced labor. So it’s a combination of troll farms and slavery.
And Czechia is no different. The situation is so serious that the Czech Police issued an official warning in October (2025). It urges the public to beware of “romantic scams” that may lurk on dating sites.
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Czechs are the second most targeted – Globalized crypto fraud
According to TRM Labs (September 2025), the volume of transfers from European victims to addresses linked to pig-butchering increased by 84% over the last year. Cryptocurrencies are routed through mixers and exchanges with minimal identity checks – most often in Hong Kong, Dubai, or the Philippines. In October, Interpol and the US Department of Justice conducted a raid in which they seized $15 billion worth of crypto assets. However, only a minority of the money comes from Europe.
The perfect date – Artificial intelligence helps crypto scams achieve perfection
Today, scammers also use artificial intelligence. Deepfake video calls replace real conversations, AI-generated faces are convincing, and fake LinkedIn or Instagram profiles have perfectly constructed pasts. In its summer 2025 report, Europol identified these deepfake tools as the main trend in “pig-butchering 2.0.”
The emergence of a second wave of scams is also worrying. Perpetrators are returning to people they have already robbed, this time as “lawyers,” “investigators,” or “recovery agents.” They offer to help get the money back—for a fee, of course. In reality, it’s just a continuation of the same scheme.
Is there anything that can be done about it?
Investigating these networks is complicated. It requires tracking blockchain traces, analyzing recurring addresses, and requesting international cooperation through Europol, Eurojust, and Interpol. The perpetrators are mostly outside the EU and use complex chains of wallets and shell companies.
So, if you use dating sites, keep these three rules in mind: First, never send money or personal information to someone you have never met in person. Second, as soon as the conversation turns to finances, be alert. And third, don’t let yourself be pressured by emotions or time. If someone tries these methods on you, you can be almost certain that it’s a scam.
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