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Active / high riskWhatsApp / Telegram / Instagram / Dating apps
Investment / relationship investment scam
Also known as: pig butchering, crypto mentor, trading group, IPO allotment group
Behavioural sequence
How the script progresses
1
Trust built over days
- Long friendly conversation before money is mentioned
- Added to a group of 'successful' investors
2
Small withdrawal succeeds
- A small first withdrawal was paid out to prove legitimacy
3
Larger deposits urged
- Encouraged to borrow or liquidate savings
- Time-limited 'allotment' pressure
4
Withdrawal blocked
- Told to pay tax or margin before withdrawing
Likely next move
Trust built over days
They will show you a platform with steady returns and let you withdraw a small amount successfully.
Small withdrawal succeeds
They will push a much larger deposit, often suggesting you borrow or break a fixed deposit.
Larger deposits urged
Your withdrawal will be blocked pending a 'tax' or 'margin' payment.
Withdrawal blocked
Each payment will reveal another fee. The displayed balance is not real money.
Do not do this
- Do not pay tax or margin to withdraw. Real platforms deduct from the balance.
- Do not borrow to top up.
- Screenshot the platform dashboard now — these sites are taken offline quickly.
Sources
Scamwatch (Australia) — investment scams · Retrieved 2026-08-22
FTC (US) — consumer alerts · Retrieved 2026-08-22