Guide
Romance and Tech-Support Scams: How Crypto Victims Get Targeted
The bottom line: they earn your trust, then push you to send crypto
Romance scams and tech-support scams start in different ways, but they share one goal: win your trust, then get you to send cryptocurrency. Romance scams build intimacy on social media or dating apps and then steer you into "investing" — the pattern often called "pig butchering." Tech-support scams use a fake virus warning to get you on the phone, then charge you a bogus fee. Be deeply suspicious of investment pitches from people you've never met in person and of any warning screen that tells you to call a number.
Key takeaways
- Romance scam = intimacy on social/dating apps → investment pitch (pig butchering).
- Tech-support scam = fake security alert → phone call → payment via prepaid cards or crypto.
- Victims are people caught in moments of loneliness, kindness, or panic — it happens at any age.
- For fake alerts: close the browser or restart the device. Don't call — contact your consumer/fraud or police hotline instead.
Romance scams (international romance scams / pig butchering)
- Someone posing as an attractive, high-status person approaches you on social media or a dating app and builds romantic feelings and trust through daily contact.
- They never meet you in person and, when the time feels right, steer you toward "investing" together to "build wealth."
- They get you to deposit funds into a dedicated site or app, showing paper profits on a fake trading dashboard.
- When you try to withdraw, they demand "taxes" or "fees" — and eventually go silent.
Be wary of investment pitches from someone you've never met
Police authorities warn that if someone you met online — and have never met in person — encourages you to invest in crypto or similar assets, you should suspect a scam and contact a fraud or police consultation line.
Tech-support scams (fake support / fake alerts)
While you're using your PC or phone, a fake warning screen and alarm sound claim "your device is infected with a virus" and tell you to call the displayed number. On the call, they have you install remote-control software and then charge a "support fee" or "software fee" — paid via prepaid electronic money or cryptocurrency. Consumer agencies receive large numbers of these complaints every year.
| Situation | The right response |
|---|---|
| A fake warning screen or alarm appears | Don't call. Close the browser / force-quit / restart |
| You already called the number | Don't install remote-control software; don't pay |
| You already paid or sent funds | Preserve evidence and contact your consumer/fraud and police hotlines and your payment provider |
Who gets targeted — and how to protect yourself
- People in moments of loneliness, anxiety, or panic (a new romance, worries about retirement savings, a sudden PC problem, and so on).
- Ironically, the people most sure "it would never happen to me" are often the quickest to lose their composure.
- Protect yourself: don't act on investment pitches from someone you've never met; never call the number on a warning screen; store your assets securely and remember that crypto transfers can't be reversed. For the full landscape of methods, see Bitcoin scams and how to avoid them.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What is a "pig butchering" scam? A. It's the nickname for an international romance scam in which the fraudster takes time to build trust, then gets the victim to invest a large sum and makes it impossible to withdraw. Social media and dating apps are the usual entry points.
Q. How can I spot a romance scam? A. Be highly suspicious of anyone who recommends investments without ever meeting you in person, and who asks for extra "fees" or "taxes" when you try to withdraw.
Q. What should I do if a fake virus warning appears? A. Don't call the number shown — close the browser or restart the device. A legitimate security warning will never ask you to make a phone call.
Q. What if I've already sent money or paid? A. Preserve the evidence and quickly contact your consumer/fraud hotline, the police, and your payment provider.
Sources
- National Police Agency SOS47, "Social-media investment and romance scams": https://www.npa.go.jp/bureau/safetylife/sos47/new-topics/sns-romance/
- IPA, "Countermeasures against fake security warnings (tech-support scams)": https://www.ipa.go.jp/security/anshin/measures/fakealert.html
- National Consumer Affairs Center, "That warning screen is fake! Beware of tech-support scams": https://www.kokusen.go.jp/news/data/n-20220224_2.html
A note on investing
This article is for informational purposes only and is not investment advice. Bitcoin carries risks including price volatility, hacking, and loss. Make investment decisions at your own responsibility and only with money you can afford to lose. Tax rules and regulations can change, so always verify the latest details with official primary sources.
Sources
FAQ
- What is a "pig butchering" scam?
- It's the nickname for an international romance scam in which the fraudster takes time to build trust, then gets the victim to invest a large sum and makes it impossible to withdraw. Social media and dating apps are the usual entry points.
- How can I spot a romance scam?
- Be highly suspicious of anyone who recommends investments without ever meeting you in person, and who asks for extra "fees" or "taxes" when you try to withdraw.
- What should I do if a fake virus warning appears?
- Don't call the number shown — close the browser or restart the device. A legitimate security warning will never ask you to make a phone call.
- What if I've already sent money or paid?
- Preserve the evidence and quickly contact your consumer/fraud hotline, the police, and your payment provider.
This article is informational only and is not financial, investment, or trading advice. Prices are reference snapshots and may be outdated. Always do your own research.
