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in Romance Scam
freep.com
· 2025-12-08
Two emerging scams exploit people's willingness to help others: the "borrow your phone" scam, where strangers ask to use your phone and secretly transfer money from payment apps to their accounts (stealing $150-$200 or more), and the "accidental deposit" scam, where scammers claim they mistakenly sent you money via Venmo and request you send it back, potentially involving fraudulent transactions. Experts recommend never handing phones to strangers and verifying overpayment claims directly with payment app customer support rather than trusting unsolicited requests.
turnto10.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are increasingly using AI technology, including deepfake videos and voices, to impersonate romantic interests and manipulate victims into sending money, eliminating traditional red flags like refusing to video chat. To protect themselves, people should reverse image search photos shared by romantic prospects and be wary of anyone who mentions cryptocurrency investments, as these are common tactics used in romance scams that have cost victims billions of dollars.
newschannel5.com
· 2025-12-08
This is an educational segment featuring Kate Kleinert discussing warning signs and prevention strategies for romance scams. The interview covers what individuals should watch for to protect themselves from this type of fraud.
broadbandbreakfast.com
· 2025-12-08
Older adults' losses to fraud and scams have increased significantly, from $1 billion in 2021 to approximately $1.8 billion in reported losses in 2023, with the FTC estimating actual losses may reach as high as $48 billion when accounting for unreported cases. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to business impersonation scams (especially Amazon impersonation), romance scams, tech support scams, and investment scams involving fake cryptocurrency opportunities. Government agencies, tech companies, and nonprofit organizations are working to combat fraud through education, awareness tools, and new coalitions like Tech Against Scams, while also recognizing the significant mental and emotional health impact on scam
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
A 75-year-old man from the US lost approximately $716,212 (Rs 6 crore) in a "pig butchering" romance scam after meeting a scammer posing as a wealthy Chinese woman named Violaine Chen on LinkedIn. The scammer built romantic trust over time, then convinced the victim to invest in a fake trading platform (Fuex) that showed false returns, and blocked withdrawal attempts while demanding additional fees. Despite FBI reporting, the victim was unable to recover his funds and suffered significant emotional and financial consequences.
echo.ie
· 2025-12-08
Fraud cases in Tallaght, Ireland increased 65% in 2024 with 86 cases recorded, with romance fraud identified as a significant portion of this rise. Since 2020, over €7 million has been stolen from romance scam victims across Ireland, including cases where individuals lost €35,000-€36,000 after being manipulated by scammers using fake profiles on dating apps. Gardaí advise potential victims to never send money or bank details to online contacts and to be suspicious of those who avoid video calls or ask probing questions without sharing personal information.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI warned in June of a rising work-from-home job scam where fraudsters contact victims with offers of simple remote work (like rating restaurants), show fake earnings on a fake interface, then demand cryptocurrency payments to "unlock" additional work—with payments going directly to the scammer. Red flags include job postings that overuse the word "optimization" and don't require references, and victims should be cautious of any employer demanding cryptocurrency as a condition of employment.
bbc.com
· 2025-12-08
Fraud and scam complaints in the Channel Islands quadrupled from 5 cases in 2022 to 22 cases in 2023, according to the Channel Islands Financial Ombudsman's annual report. Notable cases included a romance scammer who took £120,000 from a victim and a cryptocurrency investment fraudster who stole £17,750, with the ombudsman noting increasing sophistication in reported scams. Additionally, the report documented a rise in account closures by banks citing suspected fraudulent activity, with some banks failing to provide customers with reasons for the closures.
cnet.com
· 2025-12-08
Digital payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, and PayPal are increasingly targeted by scammers, with customers at three banks losing over $870 million to Zelle fraud since 2017. Common scams include cash flipping schemes, phishing attacks, fake item sales, counterfeit tickets, software update tricks, and rental deposit frauds—all designed to trick users into sending irretrievable payments to criminals. To protect yourself, never click links from unsolicited emails, avoid paying sight unseen, use official app stores for updates, and verify requests directly through the payment app's customer service.
brooklyneagle.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning of "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before convincing them to invest money in fraudulent schemes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat to hide their identities, gradually building trust before requesting investments. The Attorney General advises New Yorkers to vet recipients before sending money, research online profiles for AI-generated images, and be alert to sudden requests to use encrypted messaging.
riverreporter.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. Victims are shown fake account statements showing gains, but cannot withdraw funds once they deposit substantial sums, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General's Office encourages reporting suspected scams to the relevant platforms and law enforcement at 1-800-771-7755.
ag.ny.gov
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert warning New Yorkers about "pig butchering" scams, in which fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build romantic relationships with victims before manipulating them into fake investment schemes, often involving cryptocurrency or foreign currencies. Victims typically see fake account balance increases that encourage larger deposits, ranging from tens of thousands to over a million dollars, before scammers cut off contact and prevent withdrawals or demand prepayment of fees. The Attorney General recommends avoiding money transfers to unknown individuals, researching online profiles for authenticity, and reporting suspected scams to both the platform and law enforcement.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
Joe John, an Ontario business owner and TD Bank customer, lost $38,300 after checks from his account were duplicated and fraudulently deposited through a mobile account in September 2023. Although the bank initially withdrew $60,800 and launched an investigation, it refunded only two of eight fraudulent checks and refused to reimburse the remaining amount, citing a 48-hour reporting deadline that John claims he was not aware of. The unresolved fraud has forced John to consider shutting down his business.
daytondailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
An elder victim in Kettering, Ohio lost over $36,000 after clicking a phishing email and providing personal information to scammers posing as tech support personnel; she made payments totaling $5,000 by mail, $18,000 in cash, and $1,000 was stolen electronically before police arrested suspect Karan Karan during an attempted in-person money collection. The case exemplifies tech support scams, which the FBI reports were the leading type of elder fraud in 2023, causing victims 60+ over $3.4 billion in losses that year with an average loss of $33,915 per victim.
indiatoday.in
· 2025-12-08
Romance scams are surging in metropolitan areas like Delhi and Hyderabad, where scammers use dating apps to lure victims into expensive outings at clubs and cafes, often in collaboration with establishment employees. Victims, predominantly men, are manipulated into paying inflated bills ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 rupees after their dates order expensive drinks and food without contributing, with scammers sometimes leaving before the bill arrives. The article advises victims to verify identities through reverse image searches and video calls, choose their own safe meeting locations, and be cautious of individuals who quickly express strong feelings or request financial information.
fingerlakesdailynews.com
· 2025-12-08
New York's Attorney General issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, in which fraudsters befriend victims on dating apps, social media, and text messages before directing them to fake investment platforms. Scammers build trust over time, send fake screenshots of trading profits and luxury lifestyle images, then convince victims to invest tens of thousands to over a million dollars in cryptocurrency or foreign currency schemes before cutting off contact and making funds irretrievable. The alert advises New Yorkers to avoid wiring money to unknown contacts, verify identities through reverse image searches, be suspicious of excuses to avoid video calls or requests to use encrypted platforms, and never rush into investments.
wgrz.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning about rising online romance scams across the state, where fraudsters use dating apps, social media, and text messages to build trust with victims before convincing them to invest money or make purchases—a scheme known as "pig butchering." The Attorney General's office provided guidance to avoid these scams, including not wiring money to unknown persons, researching profiles for signs of fraud or AI-generated images, and being suspicious of individuals who avoid video calls, isolate victims from family, or pressure quick investments. Victims are encouraged to report suspected scams to their state Attorney General's office or law enforcement while preserving all communications as evidence.
fox5ny.com
· 2025-12-08
New York residents lost over $30.2 million to romance scams in 2023, with 819 victims reporting an average loss of $36,931 each, according to a Social Catfish study. Scammers increasingly use artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to conduct convincing video calls while impersonating celebrities or wealthy individuals, often directing victims toward cryptocurrency investments with no recovery options. The study recommends reverse image searches, video chat verification, avoiding rapid declarations of love, and never sending money to online contacts to prevent victimization.
microsoft.com
· 2025-12-08
Pig butchering scams are romance and cryptocurrency fraud schemes where scammers build trust with victims through fake personas on social media or messaging apps before directing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. After the victim deposits money into fake investment apps that show fake profits and allow small withdrawals to build confidence, scammers disappear with the funds. To protect against these scams, victims should verify identities through reverse image searches, maintain privacy, avoid discussing finances with new online contacts, and be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont, partnering with federal law enforcement agencies, conducted outreach events at senior centers in advance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) to educate older adults about financial fraud and elder abuse. The outreach highlighted prevalent scams targeting seniors including government imposter schemes, tech support fraud, romance scams, grandparent scams, and lottery schemes, while emphasizing that elder abuse remains often overlooked and underreported.
wng.org
· 2025-12-08
A 96-year-old World War II veteran lost over $322,000 of his retirement savings to Ternion Group International LLC, a fraudulent Christian investment company that promised to build a vocational school and purchase homes in Chicago, with his own son (age 70) convincing him to invest; the DOJ charged five people in April 2024, including the son, after the promised projects never materialized and contact ceased in 2020. The case highlights the rising threat of investment scams targeting seniors, with Americans over 60 losing $3.4 billion to fraud in 2023, and demonstrates the particular vulnerability of elderly victims who may distrust reporting due to family involvement
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
**Summary:**
Romance scammers in Indian metro cities create fake identities on dating apps to build emotional connections with victims before luring them to expensive restaurants or clubs where accomplices present inflated bills ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 rupees. To protect themselves, users should verify identities through reverse image searches and video calls, meet in public places of their own choosing, avoid rushing into emotional commitments, and remain cautious about sharing financial information with online contacts they haven't thoroughly vetted.
thetomahawk.com
· 2025-12-08
Tennessee experienced $36.6 million in elderly fraud losses in 2022, affecting 1,462 residents aged 60 or over (averaging $25,012 per victim), with an incident rate of 87.4 victims per 100,000 elderly residents. Nationally, investment scams caused the largest losses to seniors ($404 million), followed by business impostor and romance scams, with online contact methods and bank transfers being the most common fraud channels. Elderly residents aged 60+ were significantly more vulnerable to tech support scams, being 517% more likely to fall victim compared to younger age groups.
northjersey.com
· 2025-12-08
This article is not relevant to the Elderus database. It discusses dating market conditions and relationship challenges for singles in various U.S. states, not scams, fraud, or elder abuse. While it briefly mentions "romance scams" in Massachusetts, the article focuses on general dating difficulty metrics rather than elder fraud prevention or elder abuse awareness.
patch.com
· 2025-12-08
Americans lost over $10 billion to scams last year, with organized criminal networks operating from India and Nigeria using US "cash mules" to launder money through untraceable Bitcoin accounts. Seniors with landlines are particularly targeted through various schemes including romance scams (with victims losing up to $2.5 million), fake emergency calls from supposed grandchildren, phishing emails, suspicious text messages, and fake billing notifications. The article advises never sharing personal or financial information with unsolicited callers, texts, or emails, and recommends blocking suspicious contacts, verifying charges directly with banks, and reporting fraud to email service abuse addresses.
timesnownews.com
· 2025-12-08
New York State Attorney Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams targeting New Yorkers through dating apps and social media, where fraudsters build fake relationships before convincing victims to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims reported losses ranging from tens of thousands to over $1 million, with two-thirds of crypto complaints to the State Attorney's office linked to online fraud, with communication often conducted through platforms like WhatsApp and WeChat.
nypost.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James warned of rising "pig butchering" romance scams in which fraudsters use dating apps and social media to build fake romantic relationships with victims before pressuring them to invest in cryptocurrency schemes. Victims have lost between tens of thousands and over $1 million, with two-thirds of the Attorney General's cryptocurrency complaints tied to these online crimes. The scammers typically move conversations to encrypted platforms like WhatsApp or WeChat before directing victims to fraudulent investment platforms, often operated by overseas perpetrators.
troyrecord.com
· 2025-12-08
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a consumer alert about "pig butchering" romance scams, where fraudsters build romantic relationships with victims on dating apps and social media before convincing them to invest money in fake cryptocurrency or currency schemes. Victims typically deposit tens of thousands to over a million dollars before discovering they cannot withdraw funds or are asked to pay fake fees, at which point the scammers disappear. The Attorney General recommends verifying people's identities, consulting financial advisors before investing, and reporting suspected scams to law enforcement and the relevant platforms.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A scam-baiter named Jim Browning exposed a cryptocurrency investment scam operation based in Georgia, Eastern Europe, that targets victims worldwide by posing as financial advisors and recovery services. The scammers use fake celebrity endorsements and fraudulent websites to lure victims, then display fake cryptocurrency portfolios to convince them their money is growing, with some victims—including an Australian man Browning monitored in real-time—losing thousands of dollars. Australians reported losing over $2.74 billion to scams in the previous year, with attackers particularly targeting older adults with retirement savings.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 19-year-old California man was indicted for stealing over $20,000 from a 74-year-old Kettering woman through a tech support scam that began with a phishing email. The victim was manipulated into mailing cash and transferring funds through multiple interactions before police arrested the suspect during an attempted in-person money exchange. The case highlights the prevalence of tech support scams targeting seniors, which the FBI identified as the most common elder fraud type in 2023, with victims aged 60+ losing an average of $33,915 each.
the-sun.com
· 2025-12-08
**Romance Scam Warning Signs and Prevention**
Romance scammers employ multiple tactics to defraud victims on dating platforms, with key red flags including premature declarations of love, avoidance of video calls, requests for money or financial information, excuses to delay in-person meetings, and suspiciously tailored profiles. Protection strategies include keeping social media private, using strong passwords, installing anti-virus software, being cautious on public Wi-Fi, and monitoring one's digital footprint for personal information vulnerable to exploitation.
9news.com.au
· 2025-12-08
As Australia's financial year closes, authorities warn residents about tax phishing scams, with new Commonwealth Bank research revealing that while 90 percent of Australians are confident in identifying scams, only 69 percent successfully identified all three test examples, and 28 percent fell for a sophisticated MyGov impersonation scam. Around one in four Australians have been exposed to tax-related scams, with the Australian Tax Office receiving over 22,000 reports last year and phishing losses totaling approximately $4.7 million in 2024, averaging $2,000 per victim. The alert emphasizes that phishing scammers impersonate government organizations through fake links
moneymarketing.co.uk
· 2025-12-08
Fraud affects one in 17 people in the UK and comprises 38% of all crime, according to an Anti-Money Laundering Professionals Forum. The article outlines seven increasingly sophisticated fraud types targeting victims: impersonation fraud (posing as banks or authorities), social media fraud (fake websites and phishing), cryptocurrency investment scams (promising false high returns), courier fraud (impersonating officials to extract money), romance fraud (building fake relationships to steal assets), investment fraud (promoting worthless overseas properties or shares), and payment diversion (using nearly-identical email addresses to redirect payments). Pension providers and authorities must work together to combat these scams through reporting and vigilance.
wsvn.com
· 2025-12-08
**Not applicable for this database.** This article ranks states for single people based on dating prospects and mental health resources, but does not describe a specific scam, fraud incident, or elder abuse case. While it mentions that Florida has heightened risks of catfishing and romance scams generally, it provides no details about actual victims, perpetrators, financial losses, or fraud outcomes relevant to elder fraud documentation.
abc.net.au
· 2025-12-08
A sophisticated romance scam operation based in the Dubai desert targeted tens of thousands of people through fake text messages and WhatsApp messages, with scammers posing as wealthy Eastern European women and models to lure victims into cryptocurrency investment schemes. An insider named Evan, who took a job at the facility out of desperation, discovered the operation involved a three-stage "pig-butchering scam" where workers messaged 40-50 potential victims daily using stolen photos and video call actors. The syndicate was eventually exposed through the collaboration of an Australian victim (Murray Sargant), a private detective, a YouTube scam-baiter, and Evan himself, who worked from within to help
actionnews5.com
· 2025-12-08
The FBI reported an 11% increase in elder fraud losses in 2023 compared to 2022, with people over 60 losing $3.4 billion nationwide and $43 million in Tennessee alone. Common scams targeting seniors include cryptocurrency investments, tech support fraud, business scams, and romance scams, with scammers exploiting older adults' disposable income and lower proficiency with online services. The FBI advises victims to stop sending money, cut off contact with scammers, and file complaints with the Internet Crime Complaint Center immediately.
mageenews.com
· 2025-12-08
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15, 2024) was recognized by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Mississippi to promote awareness of elder fraud and abuse. The Justice Department highlighted common scams targeting seniors—including Social Security impostor schemes, tech support fraud, and lottery scams—and emphasized that information and vigilance, along with partnerships between law enforcement and the public, are key to prevention. Resources like the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force and Senior Scam Alerts are available to help older individuals and families identify and avoid fraudulent activity.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
On June 15, 2024, U.S. Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and highlighted that financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, costing older adults an estimated $23 billion annually. The U.S. Attorney's Office has expanded efforts to combat elder fraud through initiatives including the Transnational Elder Fraud Task Force, which targets foreign-based schemes, the Money Mule Initiative to disrupt fraud networks, and Senior Scam Alerts educating the public about common schemes such as Social Security impostor scams, tech support fraud, and lottery scams.
justice.gov
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina recognized World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) by partnering with law enforcement agencies, AARP, Meals on Wheels, and the FBI to combat elder fraud through community education. The office hosted three public outreach events in Raleigh, Wake Forest, and Supply to help seniors recognize signs of financial scams and connect them with resources and support services. U.S. Attorney Michael Easley emphasized that seniors are frequently targeted by fraudsters and prioritized prosecuting cases involving elderly victims as part of broader efforts to protect vulnerable populations.
crapo.senate.gov
· 2025-12-08
In 2023, seniors lost $3.4 billion to scams, an 11 percent increase from 2022, prompting Senator Mike Crapo to co-sponsor a unanimously passed Senate Resolution to combat elder fraud. Common scams targeting older Americans include romance schemes, fraudulent tech support, cryptocurrency conversion fraud, and investment scams, with warning signs including unexpected contact with pressure to act quickly, requests for personal information, and demands for untraceable payments. The Idaho Attorney General's office and other agencies provide educational resources and encourage seniors to report fraud without shame, noting that scammers are sophisticated and victims should contact law enforcement, their financial institutions, and relevant agencies rather than remaining silent due to
capitalgazette.com
· 2025-12-08
Maryland policymakers held a public awareness event warning older residents about financial fraud, which affected 1,985 adults age 60+ in the state last year. A 79-year-old Montgomery County woman lost over $500,000 to an FBI imposter scam involving fake fentanyl trafficking investigations, experiencing severe physical and psychological health consequences. State officials announced expanded protections for seniors and encouraged fraud victims to report incidents to law enforcement at 833-372-8311, emphasizing that reports help build cases against scammers targeting vulnerable populations nationwide.
yahoo.com
· 2025-12-08
A 91-year-old Rockland woman became a victim of credit card fraud in late 2022 when over $3,000 in unauthorized charges from Texas energy companies appeared on her statement after a Florida vacation, though her family's dispute with Citibank was closed due to insufficient information. The case highlights a broader problem: Massachusetts residents over 60 lost over $70 million to fraud in 2022, with seniors 517 percent more likely to fall victim to online tech support scams than younger adults. Experts recommend families monitor elderly parents' financial accounts closely and discuss common scam tactics, including requests for unusual payment methods and pressure to act quickly.
azfamily.com
· 2025-12-08
Senior citizens lost $3 billion to financial scams and fraud in the past year, with an average loss of $33,915 per victim, according to the FTC and FBI. Scammers target adults 60 and older through imposter scams (posing as banks, utilities, or the IRS with false urgency claims) and romance scams (developing fake relationships on social media before requesting payment via gift cards or cryptocurrency). Experts recommend that families discuss these fraud tactics with older relatives as a preventive measure, particularly during June's Elder Abuse Prevention Month.
weareiowa.com
· 2025-12-08
According to the FBI's 2023 Elder Fraud Report, elderly people lost more than $3 billion to scams in 2023, with common schemes including romance scams (one victim lost over $300,000), lottery scams, and impersonation scams involving fake law enforcement or family members in distress. Clive Police Detective Maurio Coleman advises victims to establish code words with loved ones, verify claims by calling the person directly, avoid paying through gift cards or cryptocurrency, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement or ic3.gov to help identify patterns across jurisdictions.
cryptobriefing.com
· 2025-12-08
The Federal Trade Commission has warned consumers about crypto romance scams, where fraudsters pose as romantic interests on social media, build emotional connections, and then pressure victims to invest in cryptocurrency with promises of guaranteed high returns. Scammers use untraceable payment methods like gift cards and crypto transfers, with victims reporting losses ranging from thousands to millions of dollars. The FTC advises people to disconnect from suspected scammers immediately and report them to both the social media platform and the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
blockonomi.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission warns about cryptocurrency romance scams in which fraudsters pose as romantic partners online, build emotional trust, and convince victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes promising high returns with no risk. Over $75 billion was lost to these scams between January 2020 and February 2024. The FTC advises victims to cease communication immediately if an online love interest requests money via gift cards, payment apps, or cryptocurrency, and to report suspected scammers to both the social media platform and the FTC.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued a warning about the rise of "romance scams" (also called "pig butchering scams"), in which scammers pose as romantic interests to trick victims into making fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, with over $75 billion lost to these schemes between January 2020 and February 2024. The FTC advised that scammers establish emotional connections, conduct background checks on victims, promise unrealistic risk-free returns, and disappear after obtaining funds, and recommended that victims cut off contact and report incidents to the FTC. Notable cases include a Philadelphia woman who lost $450,000 in 2024 and crypto exchange Debiex, which allegedly solicite
wgal.com
· 2025-12-08
Romance scammers are increasingly targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly widows and widowers, through social media by building emotional connections before requesting money for investments, emergencies, or other financial needs. The Federal Trade Commission reports these scams stole billions of dollars last year, with recent victims in the Susquehanna Valley losing up to $40,000 or more. To protect themselves, people should verify online profiles, move slowly in relationships, avoid sending money to online contacts, and be suspicious of those who avoid meeting in person or push for isolation from friends and family.
cointelegraph.com
· 2025-12-08
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission issued a consumer warning about romance scams involving cryptocurrency, in which scammers build emotional relationships with victims over time before convincing them to invest in crypto schemes with false promises of guaranteed profits and expert guidance. The FTC noted these scammers have stolen millions of dollars and advised consumers to watch for warning signs such as promises of large returns, guaranteed risk-free investments, and requests to send money. Canada's Anti-Fraud Centre similarly reported a surge in crypto romance scams on dating apps and social media, urging consumers to be cautious of online contacts promoting cryptocurrency investments.
crypto.news
· 2025-12-08
An anonymous victim lost approximately $1.1 million to two pig-butchering romance scams between January 2021 and December 2022, where scammers posed as a romantic interest and investment advisor on Facebook to manipulate the victim into transferring funds for false business opportunities and cryptocurrency investments. The US government has filed a forfeiture complaint to seize nearly $200,000 in Tether (USDT) held on Binance that was traced to the scam and converted by suspect Izuchukwu Henry Okolo, with the funds now in FBI custody. Pig-butchering scams use romantic relationships and false investment promises to gain victims' trust