AG ​James issued a consumer alert and an online guide to protect New Yorkers from “pig butchering” scams, in which fraudsters befriend victims under false pretenses and convince them to make fraudulent investments. Scammers use the phrase “pig butchering” to refer to their schemes in which they “fatten up” victims by gaining their trust before finally taking their money. Attorney General James is encouraging New Yorkers to follow the Office of the Attorney General’s (OAG) guide to protect themselves and report these schemes to the respective platforms involved and to OAG.

"These fraudsters go to great lengths to gain trust and convince people to send them their savings, sometimes ruining their victims’ finances. I encourage all New Yorkers to remain vigilant and contact my office if they or a loved one is affected by one of these scams.” – AG James