Changzhou Woman Loses Over 30,000 Yuan in 'Pig-Butchered' Investment Scam

A Changzhou woman identified as Ms. He reported a cyber investment fraud case to police on September 16, 2024, resulting in losses exceeding 30,000 yuan. What began as a seemingly ordinary WeChat friend request led to a devastating financial outcome, prompting police to warn the public about the escalating 'pig-butchering' scam trend. The scam started when a stranger added Ms. He through enterprise WeChat. Rather than immediately promoting any product, the perpetrator spent weeks building rapport through daily conversations. According to police reports, the scammer meticulously crafted a 'successful professional' persona by sharing content about charity work, daily life, and motivational material—gradually earning Ms. He's trust. The strategy employed was what investigators call the 'fattening' phase. The fraudster sent videos of investment conferences, photos of office spaces, and even glimpses of family life, creating an illusion of success and affluence. A detail often overlooked: the use of enterprise WeChat added a layer of apparent credibility to the approach. Once trust was established, the perpetrator began pitching an 'investment agency' opportunity through livestream sessions. The scheme promised that Ms. He could earn passive income by simply paying to lock in a quota and purchasing necessary equipment—no actual business operation required. The 'zero-effort, guaranteed returns' pitch proved tempting. Ms. He was persuaded to pay 20,000 yuan as a 'quota lock fee' to secure her agency资格. When she expressed doubts, the scammer applied pressure tactics and even presented fake business licenses to maintain credibility, encouraging further investment. After the payment, promised profits never materialized. When Ms. He inquired about her returns, she received vague responses about 'project suspension.' Within days, she discovered she had been completely blocked by the perpetrator—only then realizing she had been scammed. Police data shows Changzhou experienced an 11.7% weekly increase in telecom fraud reports during mid-September. Authorities advise the public to verify any investment opportunities through official channels and to be especially wary of strangers promising guaranteed returns. How to Seek Help and Protect Yourself: - Be cautious of online strangers' carefully constructed personas, no matter how impressive their displayed lifestyle appears - Never trust investment schemes promising 'zero-effort passive income'—high returns always carry high risks - Do not trust privately promoted investment projects or credentials shown by strangers; verify through official channels - Any stranger recommending financial investments requiring upfront payments is likely a scam—terminate contact immediately - If scammed, call 110 immediately and preserve chat records and transfer receipts as evidence