Police warn public of rising ‘pig butchering’ scams with losses exceeding MOP28 million

Over the past month, the Judiciary Police (PJ) have received at least 18 reports of suspected “pig butchering” scams, with total losses exceeding MOP27.89 million.

Pig butchering scams – also known as “sha zhu pan” scams (the term comes from Chinese) – are a type of online romance and investment fraud.

Authorities strongly urge the public to remain vigilant and exercise caution when encountering online investment advertisements and unsolicited offers.

Scammers typically befriend victims through social media, sometimes even posing as romantic partners.

They also post fake advertisements for stocks, precious metals, and cryptocurrencies to attract potential investors, who are then invited to join investment groups.

These fraudsters promote “high returns with low risk” investment packages and persuade victims to invest through fraudulent platforms.

Some claim their platforms use AI-driven automated trading, falsely assuring easy profits with minimal effort.

The PJ’s Anti-Fraud Coordination Center warns people not to trust investment ads on social media, especially if clicking on these ads leads to being added to messaging groups. They advise against following any investment advice or making deposits requested by group members. LV