Q: What is a pig butchering scam? A: Pig butchering scams are long-running confidence schemes that begin with a friendly wrong-number message or social app DM, where fraudsters cultivate trust over weeks or months before pushing victims into fake cryptocurrency or forex investments. Scammers show fabricated profits, block withdrawals, demand fees or cash handoffs, and sometimes use couriers to collect cash in person. Q: What early red flags should I watch for? A: Watch for a wrong-number text that becomes daily chat, pressure to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or WeChat, quick intimacy or pet names, and a refusal to do live video calls. Also be wary of polished apps or websites showing unverifiable profits, requests for cash handoffs or “acceptors,” and sudden demands for fees to unlock withdrawals. Q: How can I protect my money before investing? A: To learn how to avoid pig butchering scams, use only well-known, regulated U.S. exchanges, check the URL and app publisher, read real reviews, and test withdrawals with a small amount before adding more. Never hand cash to a stranger, refuse to pay “taxes” or “unlock” fees, and pause 24 hours to consult a trusted person before sending money. Q: What should I do immediately if I suspect I’m being scammed or already sent money? A: Stop all contact and block the scammer, then call your bank or card issuer right away to ask for a chargeback or wire recall and do not send more money. If you used an exchange, open a support ticket with wallet addresses, transaction IDs and screenshots and ask for an urgent freeze, and file a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and your local police while preserving all evidence. Q: How do scammers collect cash in person and why is that dangerous? A: Scammers sometimes send couriers or “acceptors” to meet victims in person, using secret signals like matching serial numbers on dollar bills and arranging pickups in immigrant neighborhoods. Those in-person handoffs are harder to trace, feed laundering networks and often involve money mules that move funds overseas. Q: Are immigrants and limited-English speakers at higher risk, and what barriers do they face when reporting? A: Experts and reporting indicate many victims are from Chinese immigrant communities, and language gaps, unfamiliarity with online fraud, shame, and fear of interacting with law enforcement can delay or prevent reporting. Community groups, ethnic media and bilingual helpers can translate documents, provide support and connect victims with the FBI or local police to file complaints. Q: How can I secure my devices and accounts to reduce the risk of being scammed? A: Do not install remote-access apps at someone’s request and turn on two-factor authentication using an authenticator app rather than SMS for email, banks and exchanges. Use unique passwords stored in a password manager, set bank and card alerts for transfers or crypto purchases, and keep your phone and computer updated. Q: What evidence should I save to help investigators and what should I avoid doing afterward? A: Save screenshots, exported chat histories, wallet addresses, transaction IDs (hashes), payment receipts and a written timeline of who contacted you, when and how much you sent. Do not collect, hold or move money for someone you met online, because becoming a money mule can be a crime.