INTERPOL is advocating for a shift in terminology to combat online relationships and investment fraud. The international police organization is urging the replacement of the widely used but stigmatizing term ‘pig butchering’ with ‘romance baiting’.
The term ‘pig butchering’ originated from fraudsters referring to their victims as ‘pigs’ – individuals they gradually ‘fatten up’ through fake romances or friendships before ‘butchering‘ them by convincing them to invest in fraudulent schemes, often involving cryptocurrency.
This process often results in devastating financial losses and psychological harm for the victims.
INTERPOL argues that the term ‘pig butchering’ dehumanizes and shame victims, potentially deterring them from seeking help or reporting these crimes to authorities.
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In contrast, ‘romance baiting’ – a term already in use by some law enforcement agencies and online safety experts – acknowledges the sophisticated tactics and emotional manipulation employed by fraudsters.
Cyril Gout, INTERPOL’s Acting Executive Director of Police Services, emphasized the importance of this change: “Words matter. We’ve seen this in areas of violent sexual offences, domestic abuse, and online child exploitation. We need to recognize that our words also matter to the victims of fraud.”
Dr. Elisabeth Carter, Associate Professor of Criminology and Forensic Linguist at Kingston University London, supported this initiative, stating, “Academic research clearly shows the links between the tactics of fraudsters and of perpetrators of domestic abuse and coercive control. It is imperative that we do not adopt the terminology of these criminals but instead use terms that assist public protection and support victim reporting.”
This call for change is part of INTERPOL’s ongoing “Think Twice” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about online safety and vigilance.
The campaign includes short videos highlighting five rising online threats: ransomware attacks, malware attacks, phishing, generative AI frauds, and romance baiting.
Recent statistics underscore the urgency of addressing these crimes. Ransomware attacks have increased by 70%, while malware attacks have risen by over 30% in the past year alone.
Additionally, about 20% of employees unknowingly run malware, highlighting the widespread nature of these threats.
INTERPOL’s initiative extends beyond mere terminology change. The organization has launched a comprehensive two-week awareness campaign from December 3-19, 2024, primarily through social media.
This campaign urges individuals to verify information in person and carefully consider their interactions with digital content, especially when encountering suspicious links or information.
By shifting the focus to the perpetrators’ actions rather than the victims, INTERPOL aims to create a more supportive environment for those affected by these scams.
This language change is a crucial step towards empowering victims and holding fraudsters accountable for their crimes.
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