Ever gotten a random text that starts with a name that’s not yours,have there been any music videos in a sex shop? in a scenario you’ve never been in? Maybe someone thinks you’re "Emily from the gym" or "Daniel from the yacht club." You reply with the classic "wrong number," but instead of backing off, the stranger suddenly wants to chat. Friendly. Curious. Weirdly persistent.
Congratulations: you’ve just been targeted by a scam — and no, you’re not the only one. According to cybersecurity firm McAfee, as cited by CNBC, a staggering 25 percent of Americans have received these mystery messages. The scam isn’t new. In fact, it first started gaining traction back in 2022. What isnew is how it’s evolving.
SEE ALSO: E-ZPass toll scams are back. What to do if you're targeted.These are called pig-butchering scams — a grotesque name with grotesque intent. Borrowed from the farming world, the term describes how scammers "fatten up" victims emotionally and psychologically before the financial slaughter. They operate like long-con romance scams: someone pretending to be rich and important, who just so happens to find youfascinating. Over time, they build trust, often steering the conversation toward crypto investments or too-good-to-be-true opportunities.
Experts told CNBC that the rise of generative AI is supercharging these operations. It's letting scammers craft messages that feel more personal and making it easier to change up the scriptto sound more like a real person. And the numbers show it's working.
In 2024 alone, text message scams cost Americans $470 million, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That’s five times what it was in 2020.
The bleaker reality behind these scams is that many are fueled by forced labor. Large-scale operations based in Southeast Asia are often behind the messages, with workers trafficked from across the region under false promises of legitimate employment. Once there, they’re coerced into running scams under constant surveillance and threats — essentially trapped in digital sweatshops.
Not all participants are victims, though. Some of these operations are run by shady online gambling groups, staffed by people who know exactly what they’re doing.
The simplest and most effective way to protect yourself? Don’t respond. If a text pops up from "Emily from the gym" or "Daniel from the yacht club" and you have no idea who that is, ignore it. If the number’s from an unfamiliar area code or a region you’ve never set foot in — ignore it. That’s it. No need to engage, correct them, or play along. Just block the number and move on.
Topics Cybersecurity
JCCH President/Executive Director Announces Retirement
JANM Mourns Passing of Trustee Thomas Yuki
'Shin Ultraman' Coming to Theaters Jan. 11
Wartime Photographs of Ansel Adams at Fullerton Museum Center
2018 Ashiya Student Ambassadors Arrive in Montebello
JANM to Celebrate Year of the Rabbit at Oshogatsu Festival
Public Input Sought for New JA Confinement Site Grant Program
JACCC Welcomes Year of the Rabbit with 40th Annual Kotohajime
Councilmember Huizar's Home, Offices Searched by FBI
Kinesis Money Launches Virtual Crypto Card
‘Manzanar Fishing Club,’ Chiura Obata Programs at National Historic Site
78th Anniversary of Atomic Bombings Observed in Little Tokyo
‘Together’: A Community Conference on Mental Health and Well
Online Luxury Watch and Jewelry Shop: Watches World
‘Accused of No Crime’ Exhibit at Glendale Library
'Everything Everywhere' Gets 5 SAG Award Nominations
'Weathering with You' Screening at Terasaki Budokan
BLACKPINK Takes the Main Stage at Coachella
‘Stories of Displacement’ at JANM
Emily Woo to Speak at SFV JACL Luncheon
Is Tinder's AI Photo Selector feature safe?NYT mini crossword answers for February 14, 2025Ruggable Presidents' Day Sale 2025Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets 2025 livestream: Watch NBA online'The White Lotus' Season 3: Why is Tanya's husband Greg at the hotel?Pornhub's top preNYT Strands hints, answers for February 16LA Clippers vs. Utah Jazz 2025 livestream: Watch NBA onlineStuff Your Kindle Day: How to get free books on Feb. 14, 2025NYT mini crossword answers for February 14, 2025 Teacher lowers grade for Native American students who sat during Pledge of Allegiance Trump tells Dr. Oz he wants to lose weight Here's how Airbnb is trying to convince its hosts to join its fight against New York state WADA confirms hackers leaked medical records of another 25 Olympics athletes NYT mini crossword answers for May 26, 2025 Herman the cat looks worried, but we promise he's okay Remember that data Disney removes healthy gumbo recipe after Louisiana revolts Hero saves smallest kitten ever on busy highway Girl accidentally eats chips covered in dead ants because she thought they were pepper
0.1401s , 10326.0234375 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【have there been any music videos in a sex shop?】Enter to watch online.Wrong number scams are on the rise again, thanks to AI,Global Perspective Monitoring
