No One Can Find the Pig Butcherers

Do you know what pig butcherers are? These are people who befriend others on websites, gain their trust, and scam them out of their savings. In effect they fatten “pigs” by establishing relationships, and then butcher them by stealing everything they have. Often the butcherers pretend to be in love with their victims. Or they may suck them into a fake investment scheme. This is a huge problem, particularly for older people looking for social contact. The scam exploded during COVID because people were isolated.

One of the centers seems to be the Dongmei Zone in Myanmar (formerly Burma). A crime boss named Wan Kuo-koi (“Broken tooth) set up a compound there. He trafficked thousands of people to work for him and keeps them prisoner. Their sole jobs are to scam others out of money. The best place to find victims seems to be the U.S.

What about Myanmar’s government. They seem to condone the activity and are probably paid off. The Wall Street Journal asked for comment and the government refused to respond. Even China only pursues those who defraud Chinese, not those who steal from American victims.

Wan Kuok-koi seems to be the biggest operator in pig butchering. He has extensive connections with Chinese Triads and apparently is involved with all kinds of illegal goods. Kuok-koi appears on videos but no one can find out where he is. The Wall Street Journal tried to locate him in Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, and Cambodia without success. Fraudsters now have worldwide reach through the internet, but no law enforcement can find the perpetrators to prosecute them.

I’d love to hear any stories you have about someone you know who has been approached by a pig butcherer.