Full Report
Experts say the catchall term for online fraud furthers harm against victims and could dissuade people from reporting attempts to bilk them out of their money.
Analysis Summary
# Main Topic
Recommendation by Interpol and experts to cease using the term "pig butchering" to describe online investment and romance scams, due to its dehumanizing nature and the potential to discourage victims from reporting the fraud.
## Key Points
- The term "pig butchering" originated from the scammers themselves (_shāzhūpán_ in Chinese), referring to victims as 'pigs' being fattened for slaughter.
- Using the term is considered derogatory, dehumanizing, and perpetuates stigma felt by victims of deception.
- Interpol is actively updating its internal documentation, web pages, and press releases to remove the terminology.
- Interpol is encouraging all partners and the public to use more straightforward terms such as "investment scams" or "romance baiting."
- These complex scams often involve convincing victims to send cryptocurrency based on fraudulent investment opportunities.
- The criminal enterprises behind these operations are highly organized, spanning physical and digital domains, and are linked to forced labor operations in massive "scam centers" in Southeast Asia.
## Threat Actors
- Criminal gangs involved in running complex investment/romance scams.
- Operations are logistically complex, involving forced labor and trafficking into physical scam centers, primarily in Southeast Asia.
## TTPs
- **Scheme Type:** Investment scams and romance baiting (often combined).
- **Initial Contact:** Cold contact with potential targets.
- **Rapport Building:** Developing a trusting relationship with the victim over time.
- **Monetization:** Convincing victims to send funds, typically cryptocurrency, into fraudulent investment schemes.
## Affected Systems
- **Victims:** Individuals targeted globally through online platforms.
- **Financial Instruments:** Cryptocurrency is frequently cited as the medium for financial transfer.
## Mitigations
- **Communications Strategy:** Law enforcement agencies and media should adopt neutral, descriptive terminology (e.g., "investment scams," "romance baiting") instead of the derogatory term created by threat actors.
- **Victim Support:** Reduced stigma associated with reporting due to less inflammatory language may encourage more victims to come forward.
## Conclusion
The shift in terminology is a critical step advised by Interpol to improve victim engagement and reduce the psychological harm caused by dehumanizing language originating from the threat actors. Organizations should audit their outreach materials and reporting mechanisms to align with this recommended terminology to maximize victim cooperation in investigating complex transnational financial fraud operations.