Pig-Butchering Scams in China
China is simultaneously a major origin country and a victim country for pig-butchering scams, with Chinese nationals targeted on WeChat and domestic platforms by criminal groups operating from Myanmar and Cambodia.
Part of: Pig-Butchering Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Pig-butchering (sha zhu pan, literally 'slaughtering pigs') originated in China as a term for these romance-investment scams, which were first widely identified targeting Chinese nationals. Criminal syndicates, many operating from Southeast Asian scam compounds in Myanmar's Shan State or Cambodia, recruit or traffick Chinese-speaking operators specifically to target mainland Chinese, Taiwanese, and diaspora Chinese victims.
Despite China's ban on cryptocurrency, pig-butchering operations route victim funds through USDT and other stablecoins, exploiting OTC peer-to-peer exchanges to move yuan into crypto and then offshore. The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has launched multiple crackdown campaigns but the syndicates adapt rapidly.
How this scam works on China
Contact typically begins on WeChat, Weibo, or dating platforms such as Tantan, with the scammer posing as a successful entrepreneur, fund manager, or overseas Chinese professional. Trust is built over weeks, with the scammer sharing daily life content, culinary posts, and personal stories before introducing the investment angle.
Fake platforms imitate well-known Chinese and international exchanges, with dashboards showing real-time RMB-denominated profits. Victims wire yuan via Alipay or WeChat Pay to 'middlemen' who convert it to USDT for the platform. Withdrawal attempts trigger requests for 'capital gains tax' or 'risk deposit' payments.
Forced labour within scam compounds means many operators are themselves victims of trafficking — a context authorities acknowledge complicates the moral picture.
Common red flags
- New WeChat or Weibo contact who quickly becomes romantic and mentions private investments
- Trading platform not licensed by China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) or accessible from mainland app stores
- Alipay or WeChat Pay transfers requested to individual accounts rather than licensed financial entities
- Profits shown in RMB but withdrawal requires USDT payment of a 'tax'
- Scammer claims to be overseas Chinese with family connections in Hong Kong or Singapore finance
- Group chat of investors posting constant profit screenshots and urging you to increase deposits
How to protect yourself
- Verify any investment opportunity against the CSRC registry at csrc.gov.cn
- Report suspicious WeChat contacts to Tencent via the in-app report function
- Never transfer yuan to individuals for investment purposes — use CSRC-licensed institutions only
- Be aware that cryptocurrency platforms are illegal on the Chinese mainland — any RMB-to-crypto path involves legal and fraud risk
- Cross-check investment opportunities with the NIFA (National Internet Finance Association) warnings list
- Trust your instincts — if an online friendship rapidly pivots to financial advice, disengage
How to report it
- Report to the Ministry of Public Security via the 110 anti-fraud hotline or the National Anti-Fraud Center app (Guojia Fanpian Zhongxin)
- Submit evidence to the CSRC investor protection portal at tousu.csrc.gov.cn
- Report to Tencent (WeChat) or the relevant platform for account suspension
Frequently asked questions
Can victims in China recover funds sent through cryptocurrency?
Recovery is extremely difficult. Because crypto is not legal on the mainland, Chinese courts have limited jurisdiction. The MPS can freeze domestic yuan accounts but tracing USDT that has moved offshore is rare. Report immediately to maximise any chance of intervention.