Text Scams Are on the Rise: What You Need to Know About "Pig-Butchering" Scams

Many people in the United States are receiving strange text messages from unknown numbers. These messages often begin with a greeting to someone else, like "Hi Emily from the gym" or "Hello Daniel from the yacht club." At first, it may seem like a simple mistake. But experts warn that replying could make you the target of a growing scam known as "pig-butchering."

According to a CNBC report citing cybersecurity company McAfee, around 25% of Americans have received these types of scam texts. The method became widely known in 2022, but has evolved in recent years, making it harder for people to recognize the threat.

What Is a Pig-Butchering Scam?

The term "pig-butchering" comes from the farming world. It refers to the way scammers gain the trust of their victims — similar to "fattening a pig" — before stealing their money. These scams are similar to long-term romance frauds. A scammer pretends to be rich, successful, and interested in you. Over time, they build a relationship, then convince the victim to invest in fake cryptocurrency deals or other financial scams.

AI Is Making Scams More Convincing

Cybersecurity experts say that the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is helping scammers write messages that sound more real and personal. This technology allows scammers to change their tactics quickly and make their conversations feel more natural, increasing the chances of success.

The Cost of These Scams

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reported that Americans lost around $470 million to text message scams in 2024. That is five times higher than the losses in 2020.

Scams Tied to Human Trafficking

Behind these scams, there is also a darker side. Many of the messages come from large scam centers in Southeast Asia. These operations often use forced labor. People from various countries are tricked into working in these centers with promises of real jobs. Once there, they are trapped, closely watched, and forced to carry out online scams.

However, not all scam centers use forced labor. Some are run by illegal online gambling networks and staffed by people who are fully aware of the fraud they are committing.

How to Protect Yourself

The best way to stay safe is to not reply to these messages. If you receive a text from someone you don’t know — especially one that mentions a name or place unfamiliar to you — ignore it. If the number is from an area code or country you don’t recognize, block it.

There is no need to respond, correct the sender, or continue the conversation. Just delete the message and move on.

As scammers continue to use advanced tools to trick people, staying alert and informed is more important than ever.