Inside the Pig Butchering Scam: A Crypto Lawyer Breaks Down How Victims Can Fight Back

Tubrazy Shahid
19 hours ago
4 min read

Interviewer (INT):Thanks for joining us. “Pig butchering” has become one of the most notorious crypto scams out there. Can you start by explaining what exactly it is?

Crypto Lawyer (CL):Absolutely, and thank you for having me. “Pig butchering” is a cruel and highly sophisticated scam that blends romance fraud, investment fraud, and psychological manipulation. The term comes from the idea of "fattening the pig before slaughter"—scammers spend weeks or even months building emotional or financial trust with victims, often via dating apps or WhatsApp, before convincing them to invest in a fake crypto platform. Once the victim sends large sums of money, the scammer disappears—or the platform blocks withdrawals.

Section 1: How These Scams Work

INT:What makes pig butchering scams different from other crypto scams?

CL:It's the emotional manipulation and layered deception. Unlike traditional phishing or Ponzi schemes, pig butchering scams create a full illusion of legitimacy:

Victims are shown fake dashboards that simulate real trading
Scammers pose as financially savvy “friends” or romantic partners
The fake apps often allow small withdrawals at first to gain trust
Technical support chats mimic real crypto exchanges

This emotional and technical setup leads people—many of whom are intelligent and cautious by nature—to ignore red flags and invest substantial amounts.

Section 2: The Legal Complexity

INT:From a legal standpoint, how do you even begin to help a victim?

CL:We start by gathering evidence. Victims need to collect:

Transaction records from wallets or bank accounts
Screenshots of chats, fake dashboards, and websites
Email or phone numbers used by the scammer
Blockchain data tracing the movement of funds

Then we assess jurisdiction. Many of these scams are operated from cyberfraud hubs in Southeast Asia—Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar. But the victim might live in Europe or the U.S., and the crypto assets often flow through money laundering networks, including payment platforms like Huione Pay.

Our job is to connect the dots, file formal complaints, and work with law enforcement, regulators, and sometimes international law firms to trace, freeze, and attempt recovery of the assets.

Section 3: Platforms & Payment Networks

INT:We’re hearing about the involvement of digital payment networks. Can you explain?

CL:Yes, and this is crucial. A number of these scams rely on platforms like Huione Pay, which is part of a Cambodian conglomerate. Their agents provide cash-in and cash-out services that disguise where the funds are going. While the platform may claim neutrality, there’s growing evidence of willful blindness or even complicity.

In some cases, we’re able to trace a victim’s funds from a crypto wallet to an off-ramp managed by Huione or similar firms. That gives us a lead for a civil claim or even criminal proceedings under anti-money laundering (AML) statutes.

Section 4: Emotional Toll and Reputation

INT:Victims often feel ashamed. How do you help them through that?

CL:That’s a major part of our work. Victims are often professionals—doctors, lawyers, retirees—who feel embarrassed that they were fooled. But what I always tell them is this: You didn’t fall for a scam. You were targeted by a criminal syndicate using psychological warfare and advanced digital tools.

There’s no shame in being manipulated by an actor who’s rehearsed their script thousands of times. Our role is to provide legal guidance—but also validation and confidentiality. And when a victim sees their funds traced on-chain, or when law enforcement begins to take their complaint seriously, it restores their sense of power.

Section 5: Recovering Funds

INT:Let’s talk about recovery. Is it even possible?

CL:It’s difficult, but not impossible. There are three major paths:

Blockchain ForensicsWe trace the funds on-chain, identify wallets of interest, and sometimes link them to exchanges or platforms that hold KYC data. If we can locate the crypto, we may issue legal demands or court orders to freeze and recover it.
Civil LitigationIf the scammer or facilitator can be identified—like a payment platform or off-ramp agent—we may file civil lawsuits for negligence, aiding and abetting fraud, or money laundering.
Law Enforcement & Multilateral ActionIn large cases, we can escalate through Interpol, Europol, or national task forces. If multiple victims are involved, law enforcement is more likely to act. In some cases, we’ve seen arrests and partial fund recovery.

Section 6: What Can Victims Do Now?

INT:What immediate steps should someone take if they believe they’ve been scammed?

CL:Here’s what I recommend:

Don’t send more money. Many scammers keep asking for “taxes” or “unlock fees.” Stop all communication immediately.
Document everything. Take screenshots of websites, chats, addresses, receipts—everything.
Contact a crypto lawyer. The earlier we get involved, the better chance we have to preserve evidence and begin recovery.
File a police report and report to regulators. This creates a formal trail and can help aggregate your case with others.
Consider joining a victim group. There’s strength in numbers, especially for applying international legal pressure.

INT:Thank you for this powerful and eye-opening conversation. Any last words for our readers?

CL:Yes—do not stay silent. These scams thrive in the dark, and every victim who speaks up brings us one step closer to accountability. My job isn’t just to recover assets. It’s to make sure you’re heard, protected, and supported through a system that’s still catching up to this new form of financial crime.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a pig butchering scam, reach out. We’re here to help you fight back—with legal tools, blockchain tracing, and, most importantly, dignity.

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice.

Author & Crypto Consultant

Shahid Jamal Tubrazy (Crypto & Fintech Law Consultant)

Shahid Jamal Tubrazy, a certified top expert in Crypto Law from Duke University, is a leading authority in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space. As a seasoned Fintech lawyer, he offers a full spectrum of services, including licensing, legal guidance for ICOs, STOs, DeFi, and DAOs, as well as specialized expertise in crypto mediation, negotiation, and mergers and acquisitions. With a proven track record and published works on Blockchain Regulation and Cryptocurrency Laws, Shahid provides unparalleled insights into the complexities of the fintech world, ensuring compliance and strategic success. 🌐💼 #CryptoLaw #Fintech #Blockchain #LicenseServices #CryptoMediator #MergersAndAcquisitions #CryptoCompliance #FrozenAssetsrecovery.