Relationship-to-Investment Chat Scam (Pig Butchering) on social media

How it looks on social media, the red flags and what to do.

On Instagram, Facebook or YouTube the scam can be an ad, a direct message, a giveaway or a "trader" who shows profits. Relationship-to-Investment Chat Scam (Pig Butchering) is one of the ways this shows up: A friendly stranger builds trust over weeks, then introduces a 'sure' investment platform. See how this slow scam works and why it costs so much.

What relationship-to-investment chat scam (pig butchering) looks like on social media

A "friend" account that is a copy of someone you know.
A comment thread full of identical "thank you" replies.
A direct message from a stranger, a "brand" or a "recruiter".

The scammer, often a team behind a stolen profile, starts with a 'wrong number' text or a friendly contact on a dating or social app. The conversation is patient and personal. The contact shares a lifestyle, a family and a hobby, and sends plausible photos. There is no request for money for many days, which makes the person lower their guard and feel a genuine bond.

Red flags to check on the social media message

A stranger who becomes close quickly and avoids meeting or a live call.
A friend who brings up a profitable platform or app.
A platform you can only reach through a link or file the friend sent.
A first small withdrawal followed by pressure to deposit more.
A stranger moves the chat to WhatsApp or Telegram.
A prize needs a payment or a code first.

What to do

Stop depositing and do not pay any withdrawal fee.
Ask for a live video call and see whether the person refuses or avoids it.
Do a reverse image search of the profile photos.
Make your own profile private and review who can message you.
If you paid, call 1930 and keep screenshots of the chat and the payment.
Do not pay, share codes or move to another app.

Use Report on the profile, post or ad. If money was lost, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.

If money or a code is already gone

Call 1930 as soon as you suspect and report at cybercrime.gov.in with all chats and transactions.
Tell your bank on the number printed on your card and ask about holding transfers.
Do not borrow more to try to recover the money.
Seek support from family or a counsellor, since the emotional impact is real.

National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.

Safeavio's scam check can read chats you paste and point out the platform pitch and the withdrawal fee, the link check can warn about lookalike trading sites, and Money Shield's checklist and family code word help you pause before a transfer. It does not read your chats on its own, cannot judge whether a person is real and cannot recover money.

Check it before you tap or pay

Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.

Download for Android What the app does

Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.

Full guide: Relationship-to-Investment Chat Scam (Pig Butchering): how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: WhatsApp, fake app, SMS.

Questions

How do I know if a social media message about relationship-to-investment chat scam (pig butchering) is a scam?

Check the red flags above: a stranger moves the chat to whatsapp or telegram. a prize needs a payment or a code first. When in doubt, do not act on the social media message; open the official app or website yourself or call the number printed on your card or bill.

What should I do first if I receive this social media message?

Do not pay, share codes or move to another app. Check the account: when it was created, who follows it, and whether the real brand links to it from its own website.