Crypto Scam Recovery: How Victims of ‘Pig Butchering’ Scams Can Recover Lost Money

Jinks Crow
6 days ago
2 min read

The U.S. Department of Justice recently announced its largest-ever bitcoin seizure (worth more than $14 billion) following charges against Chen Zhi, a Cambodian businessman accused of running a global crypto fraud network. Prosecutors allege that Zhi’s conglomerate, Prince Holding Group, operated massive “pig butchering” scams—online investment frauds that target victims through manipulation, deceit, and fake crypto platforms.

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What Is a “Pig Butchering” Scam?

“Pig butchering” scams (a translation of a Chinese slang term for “slaughtering the pig”) are long-term financial cons. Scammers build trust with victims, often posing as romantic partners, friends, or mentors, and then convince them to invest in fake cryptocurrency opportunities.

Victims may see fake trading dashboards showing impressive “returns.” But the money never reaches a real exchange. It’s laundered through offshore accounts, shell companies, or other criminal enterprises. Once the victim is “fully invested,” the scammer disappears, often taking hundreds of thousands of dollars with them.

Inside the World’s Largest Crypto Fraud Scheme

According to prosecutors, Chen Zhi’s empire ran forced-labor compounds in Cambodia where workers (many of whom were trafficked under false job promises) were forced to operate fake social media profiles and message victims around the world.

Some victims lost more than $400,000 to these crypto scams. Authorities have now seized over 127,000 bitcoins, assets that could be used to repay defrauded victims once the case concludes.

Experts estimate that more than 100,000 people in Cambodia and tens of thousands more in Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos have been trapped in similar online scam operations.

How Crypto Scam Recovery Works for Victims

Even if scammers are overseas, victims may have legal options to recover funds. With international enforcement increasing, U.S. courts are beginning to seize digital assets and redistribute funds to victims through restitution and civil actions.

At Jinks Crow, we represent individuals who have suffered significant financial losses in crypto investment frauds. Our firm works with investigators who specialize in crypto scam recovery and asset tracing.

If you or someone you know has lost more than $100,000 in a crypto scam or “pig butchering” scheme, contact us to explore your options.

Take Action Before It’s Too Late

Crypto criminals move fast, and so does the evidence. The sooner you act, the better your chances of recovering stolen funds. Let the experienced team at Jinks Crow help you take the next step toward recovery.