Crypto Romance Scams and Pig Butchering

Scharfman, Jason (2024) — The Cryptocurrency and Digital Asset Fraud Casebook, Volume II

Synopsis (AI-Generated)

This chapter provides a neutral overview of crypto romance scams and pig butchering, placing them within a broader history of online fraud. The opening sections trace the historical thread of romance- and advance-fee schemes, referencing well-known precursors such as the Spanish Prison scam and the Nigerian Prince email scam to illustrate how fraudulent narratives have adapted as communication technologies evolved. The framing notes how the shift to cryptocurrency, social media, and online dating platforms has influenced the modes of deception, trust-building, and perceived legitimacy in these schemes. The discussion then turns to pig butchering as a contemporary variant that blends social manipulation with crypto fraud. The synopsis characterizes the phenomenon in general terms, focusing on patterns such as relationship-focused engagement, investment pitches, and the movement of cryptocurrency as funds are requested or coerced. It emphasizes the victims’ experiences and the financial and emotional impact while describing how persuasive storytelling and staged investment opportunities

AI-Generated Content Notice

The synopsis and research notes on this page were generated with AI from available publication information and, when available, the uploaded paper text. They may contain errors, omissions, or interpretation issues. Readers should follow the DOI or source link, review the original publication, and make their own judgment about the content.



        
      

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