Pig Butchering Scams on Reddit
Reddit's investment and crypto subreddits attract pig butchering scammers who post helpful advice to build credibility, then DM interested users with personalised platform recommendations.
Part of: Pig-Butchering Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Reddit's subreddit structure gives scammers a ready-made audience of people already interested in investing and cryptocurrency. By contributing seemingly helpful posts and comments over weeks, a scammer builds karma and apparent community trust before sending targeted DMs to users who engage with their content or post questions about getting started.
Unlike most social platforms, Reddit allows throwaway accounts and pseudonymity, making it easy to create a convincing posting history without any personal information that could be verified or traced.
How this scam works on Reddit
A scammer spends two to four weeks posting genuinely useful-looking comments in subreddits focused on investing, cryptocurrency, or personal finance. They build karma, respond helpfully, and present as a knowledgeable community member.
When a user posts asking for investment advice, the scammer responds helpfully in the thread and then sends a DM offering to share more detail about how they personally achieved their returns. The private conversation mirrors a romantic pig butchering approach but is framed entirely around financial mentorship.
The scammer eventually introduces a specific trading platform, walks the victim through the sign-up process, and shares a referral link. The fabricated trading dashboard shows steady gains until the victim attempts to withdraw.
Common red flags
- Reddit DM from someone offering personal investment mentorship after you commented in a finance subreddit
- User whose post history focuses heavily on the same trading platform across multiple subreddits
- DM that quickly moves to discussing a specific platform not mentioned in the original thread
- Offer to 'guide you personally' through a trading platform via DM or Telegram
- Pressure to move conversation off Reddit to a private messaging app
How to protect yourself
- Treat unsolicited Reddit DMs offering investment advice or mentorship with strong scepticism
- Search any recommended platform name on your financial regulator's website
- Keep investment discussions in public Reddit threads where community scrutiny applies
- Never transfer funds to a platform introduced exclusively through a Reddit DM
- Report suspicious DMs and accounts to Reddit using the report function
How to report it
- Report the Reddit account and DM via the report function on the account or message
- Report to your national fraud service and financial regulator
- Contact your bank immediately if you sent funds
Frequently asked questions
How do scammers build credibility on Reddit before approaching victims?
They post genuinely helpful-looking content in relevant subreddits over weeks, accumulating upvotes and karma. This posting history makes them appear as established community members. Karma score alone is not a reliable indicator of trustworthiness.