, Fla. —

A scam known as pig butchering, where scammers build trust with victims before stealing their money through fake cryptocurrency investments, is becoming increasingly common, experts say.

The scam is named after the practice of fattening pigs before slaughter, as scammers “feed” their victims false attention before taking their money. It often begins through text messages, dating apps, or social media, where scammers search for potential victims. They may spend weeks or even months talking to the victim, showcasing a lavish lifestyle to appear successful, and eventually introducing the idea of investing.

Once trust is established, scammers propose an…