Part 7/10:
Erin West, a prosecutor specializing in cybercrime, outlined a broader context—many of these scams operate on an impressive scale, largely powered by organized crime syndicates. Post-COVID, criminals repurposed their shady operations into online scams, targeting victims across the globe. The phenomenon, known as 'pig butchering,' entails an elaborate scheme of social and emotional manipulation before the final act of theft.
As the investigation deepened, it became evident that a significant workforce was being exploited. Many perpetrators were themselves victims, coerced into scamming through kidnapping and threats, raising moral dilemmas about the nature of these operations.