Online scams push Chinese victims into debt and shame

Known as “pig butchering”, the schemes are operated by crime syndicates in South-East Asia suspected of abducting Chinese citizens and others, and forcing them to swindle their compatriots. — The Star

BEIJING: Once carefree and comfortable, Huang is now haunted by debt – the target of a scheme operated by international crime groups that force human trafficking victims to do online scamming work.

She is among a growing number of Chinese people lured into handing over large sums of cash by scammers posing as potential love interests.