DES MOINES, Iowa – Don’t be the pig who gets butchered by online con artists.
That’s the warning from Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird about so-called pig-butchering scams. Bird says that’s when criminals connect with someone online and build a relationship over a period of time before tricking them into sending money. Bird says these con artists bond with their victims over common interests and make false promises of love, affection, and opportunity to build trust. The criminals then take advantage of that relationship to steal everything they can.
“Most of us don’t think we could fall for a scam until it happens,” says Attorney General Bird. “And these scammers do not stop until they take everything you have. Be on the lookout for pig-butchering scams. They are evil, long cons that not only steal people’s money but manipulate their emotions. And please remember to never send money to someone …