Interpol has called for the abandonment of the term “Pig Butchering” when describing online relationship and investment scams, advocating instead for more sensitive terminology like “romance baiting.” This change aims to reduce victim stigmatization and encourage more people to report these crimes.

These sophisticated scams involve criminals building long-term relationships with victims through social media, establishing trust through fake friendships or romantic connections. Scammers then manipulate victims into making substantial investments, typically in cryptocurrency or fraudulent financial schemes, before disappearing with the stolen funds.

The severity of these crimes is reflected in the FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report, which revealed a 38% increase in investment fraud, rising from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023. Beyond financial losses, victims often suffer severe psychological trauma, with some cases resulting in tragic outcomes.

The term “romance baiting” is preferred as it emphasizes the perpetrator’s manipulative tactics rather than victim-blaming language. This shift in terminology is part of a broader strategy to:
– Encourage victims to report crimes without fear of judgment
– Improve information sharing with authorities
– Enable faster detection of scam patterns
– Support better prevention measures

Interpol emphasizes that timely reporting of these crimes, even when fund recovery might not be possible, is crucial for preventing future victims and tracking cybercriminals.