Local woman arrested in connection to ‘pig butchering scam’

A 69-year-old local woman was arrested Monday at her residence in the Northern District on suspicion of laundering MOP3 million in fraudulent funds for a criminal group linked to a “pig butchering” online romance scam, the Judiciary Police (PJ) announced.

PJ spokesman Lei Chi Hou revealed at a regular press conference yesterday that the suspect allegedly used her personal bank account to receive approximately MOP3 million in illicit funds, including about MOP2 million belonging to two local women who reported the crime.

According to the PJ, the two local victims met a man through an online social platform, where their relationship quickly developed into an online romance. The man then persuaded the women to invest in a fraudulent online scheme promising high returns.

Over several transactions, the two local women reportedly deposited about MOP1.3 million and MOP700,000, respectively, into accounts provided by the fraudsters.

Only after realizing they had been deceived did the two women report the scam to authorities.

The 69-year-old suspect is also believed to have received MOP8,000 from the criminal group as payment for laundering the money through her bank account.

As of yesterday, the PJ has received reports from eight victims of an online investment scam known as the “pig butchering” scheme since July, with the largest reported loss exceeding MOP3.56 million.

The scam typically starts with fraudsters using dating apps or social media to gain victims’ trust by posing as romantic partners or investment experts, the PJ warns.

Authorities urge the public to stay vigilant and protect themselves from online scams by verifying investment opportunities and maintaining a level of caution in digital relationships. NS