INTERPOL has recently advocated for the cessation of using the term “pig butchering” and instead proposed the term “romance baiting” to describe a manipulative scam technique where victims are emotionally exploited and financially defrauded. The international law enforcement organization stresses that the adoption of this new term aims to show respect for victims while holding fraudsters accountable for their actions.
The concept of “pig butchering” was coined by fraudsters themselves, likening their victims to pigs that are “fattened up” with trust, affection, and false promises of romance or friendship before being ruthlessly exploited. This exploitation often involves convincing victims to invest in fake cryptocurrency schemes, leading to substantial financial losses and emotional distress when scammers abruptly cut off contact after receiving the money.
INTERPOL argues that the use of stigmatizing and dehumanizing terminology like “pig butchering” can deter victims from coming forward to report crimes or seek assistance. By replacing this negative language with the term “romance baiting,” the focus shifts towards highlighting the deliberate emotional manipulation and exploitation tactics employed by scam perpetrators.
Cyril Gout, the Acting Executive Director of Police Services at INTERPOL, emphasized the importance of language in providing support to victims of fraudulent schemes. Gout stated, “Words matter. We’ve seen this in areas like domestic abuse and online exploitation. Changing our language to foster empathy and respect for victims is crucial to combating these crimes and holding fraudsters to account.”
Dr. Elisabeth Carter, a criminologist and forensic linguist at Kingston University London, drew parallels between the tactics of romance baiting fraudsters and coercive control in cases of domestic abuse. She highlighted how using appropriate terminology can enhance public awareness and improve victim protection in online scam scenarios.
This shift in language is part of INTERPOL’s broader Think Twice campaign, which aims to raise awareness about online scams and promote safer interactions on the internet. The campaign includes resources such as engaging videos that highlight various online threats like ransomware, phishing, malware, generative AI scams, and romance baiting.
As the complexity of online scams continues to evolve, INTERPOL’s initiative seeks to empower individuals to recognize and avoid falling victim to these fraudulent schemes. By replacing judgmental terminology with empathetic language like “romance baiting,” the organization hopes to encourage more victims to come forward, ultimately aiding in the effort to apprehend fraudsters and protect potential targets in the future.
Through this proactive approach, INTERPOL sets a precedent for how language can drive cultural change and strengthen global responses to the escalating threats posed by cybercrime. By fostering empathy and respect for victims through updated terminology, law enforcement agencies and the public can work together to combat online scams more effectively and protect vulnerable individuals from falling prey to fraudulent activities.