[00:13 - 00:21]Woman falls for Instagram ad for a tree that fits in a living room, but instead gets a tiny tree.

[01:48 - 02:01]This leads to discussion about internet scams, specifically the "pig butchering scam" which is currently widespread.

[04:10 - 04:18]The scam caused a bank in Kansas to fail and the CEO is facing charges of embezzling $50 million.

[04:38 - 04:45]Multiple members of a staff receive such messages and some fall for it, losing a lot of money.

[04:38 - 04:45]Special Agent Hosani has seen this scam become successful in 2021.

[04:38 - 04:45]The scam took people for $3 billion in the US alone in 2022.

[04:52 - 05:03]The scam involves raising piglets, fattening them up, and eventually butchering them.

[05:21 - 05:31]The scam took off at the start of COVID when people were isolated and vulnerable.

[05:32 - 05:41]Organized crime groups in China used online casinos as bases for scam operations.

[05:42 - 05:50]Victims are drawn in with promises of wealth, love, and grandeur before being scammed.

[06:05 - 06:17]The scam starts with a text from an unknown number, pretending to know the recipient.

[07:52 - 08:00]Scammers target people through wrong number texts, social media, and dating apps.

[07:52 - 08:00]Scammers research their targets and pretend to have something in common.

[08:01 - 08:10]A woman falls for a scammer on a dating app who pretended to be from the same town in China as her.

[00:00 - 08:39]The text discusses the widespread "pig butchering scam" which involves tricking people into giving away their money through false promises of wealth and love. The scam has been successful during the COVID pandemic, with organized crime groups using online platforms to target vulnerable individuals.

[08:39 - 08:45] Step one is starting the conversation and building a relationship

[08:59 - 09:05]The scammer will present an opportunity for investment instead of directly asking for money

[09:17 - 09:26]Step two is turning the conversation towards money

[10:56 - 11:02]They will use legitimate-looking platforms and apps to make the scam seem more convincing

[11:53 - 11:59]Some scammers may use additional features like two factor authentication or customer service lines

[11:53 - 11:59]The scam is often run by organized crime syndicates

[11:59 - 12:05]Victims may do due diligence and still be convinced the scam is real

[12:39 - 13:02]Eventually, victims will try to withdraw their money and realize it is all a scam

[14:26 - 14:40]Many victims do not report their losses due to embarrassment

[16:05 - 16:14]Victims may be forced to work for the scammers, spending hours on social media targeting Americans

[16:05 - 16:14]Scammers may threaten victims to keep them working

[08:39 - 16:27]Scammers build a relationship with victims and present an investment opportunity through legitimate-looking platforms, eventually stealing large sums of money. Victims may be forced to work for the scammers and not report their losses due to embarrassment.

[16:27 - 16:36]Many organisations lure people into their compounds under false pretenses, using them as human trafficking victims.

[16:45 - 16:58]Victims are often tricked through job ads and online interviews, and then held captive by their new bosses.

[17:05 - 17:11]Tens of thousands of people have been tricked in this way, and hundreds of thousands have been forcibly engaged.

[17:12 - 17:19]Victims are confined to the compound and their screens are monitored by the organised crime group.

[18:38 - 18:56]Fake profiles are created to lure in potential targets, and manuals are given to employees on how to exploit weaknesses and build trust.

[19:18 - 19:25]The authorities are sometimes involved in the scams, as it brings in a large amount of money.

[20:17 - 20:25]Conditions in the compounds can be brutal, with reports of abuse and even death.

[22:27 - 22:35]Awareness of this scam is key in preventing people from falling for it.

[22:50 - 23:01]It is important to be aware of red flags, such as strangers professing love or discussing cryptocurrency early on.

[23:41 - 23:48]If you know someone who has been scammed, be kind and understanding.

[23:49 - 23:57]The internet, which should alleviate loneliness, can also be used to exploit it.

[23:57 - 24:10]The worst mistake someone can make on the internet is inadvertently buying something like an excellent Christmas tree for gay mice.

[16:27 - 24:13]Organisations lure people into compounds under false pretenses, using them as human trafficking victims. Victims are tricked through job ads and online interviews, and held captive by their new bosses. Awareness of this scam is key in preventing people from falling for it.