The Butcher’s Smile

How “Pig Butchering” Scams Are Quietly Targeting Ordinary People — And How to Protect Yourself Before It’s Too Late

There is a strange feeling that comes with realizing somebody is pretending to care about you.

At first, it may seem harmless. A random message. A “wrong number.” A beautiful stranger reaching out online. A casual conversation that feels oddly persistent. Maybe even flattering.

Then the patterns begin to appear.

The questions become more personal. The comp…