INTERPOL is calling on the global cybersecurity community to stop using the term “pig butchering” when it comes to online fraud, as this language “dehumanizes and shames victims of such frauds, deterring people from coming forward and seeking help.”
The term “pig butchering” or “Sha Zhu Pan” originated in China in 2016 and is commonly used to describe romance baiting scams where cybercriminals trick people into sending them money, typically in the form of cryptocurrency.
This fraud has been around for a long time but the name became more popular during the past few years as scam operations became more sophisticated. They typically include human trafficking victims who are forced to work in scam compounds in Southeast Asia (and other areas) to build online relationships with the “pigs” and “fatten” them up before gaining their trust and stealing their money.
Today, INTERPOL launched an awareness campaign against fraud, calling for the use of “romance baiting” instead of “pig butchering” in the future.
“Words matter. It’s time we all change how we talk about this crime,” says Cyril Gout, acting Executive Director of Police Services.
“By using respectful, victim-centered language, we can encourage people to report these scams and help more survivors seek the support they need.”
Too late?
The term “pig butchering” is now used not only by everyday people but also by journalists, US law enforcement agencies, and researchers because it conveys the sense of deception, trickery, and long-game investment that is central to this type of scam.
Some speculate that the adoption of a less-harsh term like “romance baiting” would help humanize the scammers, too, many of whom are themselves victims of human trafficking and slavery.
However, the term “pig butchering” is already deeply established in existing research, online discussions, media coverage, government reports, and public discourse, so it is very hard to change.
Other terms, such as “investment fraud,” “romance scam,” or “online financial fraud” could be more technically accurate, yet fail to convey how dangerous, sophisticated, and methodical these schemes actually are.
Some argue that the shock value of the term “pig butchering” has helped alert more people about the dangers of this type of scam, preventing them from falling victim.
Regardless, even if “pig butchering” stops being used, it will remain in search engines and the wealth of knowledge on the topic that has been built over the past years, continuing to be the key term for anyone looking for relevant information.
