Romance Scam Alert: “Wrong Number” Texts and Pig Butchering Scams This Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day brings more texts than usual. Some feel sweet. Others feel random. A growing number start with a simple mistake. A message meant for someone else. At least that is what it looks like. Many Americans are receiving texts that ask, “Are you still coming later?” or “Did you get my message yesterday?” You reply to be polite. You think you are helping someone who typed the wrong number. That single reply is exactly what the scammer wants. This is not harmless small talk. These messages are part of a fast-growing romance scam that has already cost victims across the country billions of dollars. Law enforcement agencies and cybersecurity experts are raising the alarm because this tactic operates quietly and consistently.

The scam relies on normal human behavior. Being polite. Being curious. Wanting to clear up confusion. Once a conversation starts, the goal changes. Trust becomes the target.

This guide explains how wrong number scams work, what butchering scams really mean, why the money involved keeps rising, and how to protect yourself. More importantly, it also shows how to check who is actually texting you before a conversation goes any further.

What Is a Butchering Scam  

A butchering scam is a long-term fraud tactic built around trust. The name comes from the idea of slowly preparing a victim over time before taking their money. The scammer does not rush. They invest time and attention first.

Most of these scams begin with a wrong number text. The message feels accidental and ordinary. Once you respond, the sender apologizes and keeps chatting. The conversation stays light at first. Friendly comments. Small talk. Shared routines.

Over time, the scammer creates consistency. Daily messages. Regular check-ins. Conversations about work, food, travel, or stress. Some lean toward romance. Others position themselves as a reliable friend. The goal stays the same. Lower your guard.

When trust is established, money comes into play. It may come as advice, an opportunity, or a favor. Whatever form it takes, the result is always financial loss.

Many victims say the person felt real and patient. That is because many of these scams operate through organized groups. Scripts, rotating operators, and detailed profiles keep the interaction going without breaks.

Examples of Butchering Scams  

Once scammers feel they have your attention and trust, they move toward a money-focused angle. Below are the most common ways these scams play out after a wrong number text turns into an ongoing conversation.

1. Cryptocurrency Investment Scams  

This is the most widely reported form of a butchering scam. After days or weeks of chatting, the scammer mentions success with crypto trading. Screenshots of profits appear. A website or app is introduced that looks professional and polished.

Victims are encouraged to start small. Early balances appear to grow. When a withdrawal is attempted, new fees or minimum deposit requirements apply. The cycle repeats until the victim stops sending money. The platform itself is fake. No real investing ever took place.

Regulators have warned that these scams often look convincing because the websites and apps are designed to mirror legitimate crypto tools.

2. Fake Online Trading Platforms  

Some scammers avoid crypto language and instead promote online trading. This may involve foreign exchange, commodities, or private investment platforms. The scammer may claim to have insider access or a mentor.

Victims are directed to download an app or use a web portal that shows fake charts and account balances. These numbers are controlled by the scammers. As long as money keeps coming in, the account appears healthy.

Once deposits stop, access disappears.

3. Emergency Financial Help Requests  

In some cases, the scam turns personal rather than financial at first glance. The scammer creates a problem that feels urgent. A medical issue. A frozen account. A business delay. The request sounds temporary and reasonable.

Payment is accepted via wire transfer, gift card, or payment app. Each payment leads to another issue that requires more funds. Because trust has already been built, victims often comply before questioning the situation.

4. Loan or Advance Fee Schemes  

Another variation involves promises of financial assistance. The scammer claims they can help secure a loan, grant, or funding opportunity. The terms sound generous. The only catch is an upfront processing or release fee.

Once paid, new fees appear. The promised funds never arrive. These scams can also expose victims to identity misuse if documents or personal details are shared.

Each of these examples follows the same pattern. Time is used to lower suspicion. Familiarity replaces caution. These scammers only introduce money matters after trust feels solid.

Why “Wrong Number” Texts Are So Effective  

These scams work because they do not look dangerous at first. There is no link. No threat. No obvious request.

A message arrives that seems mistaken. You reply to be helpful. That reply confirms your number is active and that you are willing to engage.

Warnings shared by the FBI El Paso explain that scammers rely on friendliness. They count on people wanting to be polite. Once they established the contact, the conversation shifts toward connection instead of sales.

Technology also plays a role. Many of these messages are sent in bulk using automated systems. When someone responds, a real person takes over the conversation. That blend of automation and human follow-up makes the interaction feel personal.

How Romance Gets Pulled Into the Scam  

Valentine’s Day creates perfect timing. People expect messages about plans, introductions, or missed connections. A random text feels less suspicious during this season.

Scammers take advantage of that emotional context. Compliments appear early. Interest escalates quickly. Some claim they are working abroad or traveling often. Others say they feel an instant connection.

Excuses follow when a meeting is suggested. Delays. Work conflicts. Distance. The goal is to keep the relationship digital and controlled.

Once emotional investment is high, financial requests feel easier to justify. That is how losses grow larger even when fewer victims are involved.

How a Romance Scam Turns Romantic  

Valentine’s Day increases risk. People expect messages about plans, dates, or introductions. A random text does not feel out of place.

Romance scammers know this. Comparitech data analysis shows that wrong number scams are increasingly tied to romance fraud. Fewer victims are targeted overall, but more money is taken from each one.

In 2022, Americans lost over $1 billion to romance scams. That number set a record. Experts believe scammers are getting better at selecting targets and holding attention longer.

Some warning signs show up repeatedly:

• Fast emotional bonding
• Daily messaging habits
• Claims of working overseas
• Excuses to avoid meeting
• Investment talk that sounds casual

They designed each step to keep you engaged while lowering your guard.

Smishing and Politeness Traps  

This tactic also falls under smishing. Smishing uses text messages instead of email. It feels more personal. People respond faster to texts than to unknown emails.

Cybersecurity journalist Kurt Knutsson has warned that scammers rely on politeness. Many victims say they replied because they did not want to seem rude. That response opens the door.

Once a conversation starts, scammers can:

• Collect personal details
• Send malicious links later
• Push fake investments
• Request money or gift cards
• Attempt identity theft

None of this happens in the first message. That is why the scam works.

The Real Cost of Romance Scam in the U.S.  

Valentine’s season is when a lot of people let their guard down. More texts, more “new connections,” more late-night conversations that feel personal fast. That’s exactly why romance scammers ramp up outreach around this time of year.

The money involved is not small. The Federal Trade Commission reported $1.14 billion in losses from romance scams in 2023, with 64,003 reports filed. The median loss was $2,000, which shows how quickly a “small” situation can turn into real damage once someone starts sending payments.

Text messages now play a bigger role in how these scams begin, which is a big deal for “wrong number” texts. FTC data shows consumers reported $470 million in losses in 2024 from scams that started with a text message. That lines up with the pattern you’re warning about. A random text hits your phone. You reply out of courtesy. The scammer knows your number is live and keeps the conversation going.

Older Americans are taking a heavy hit, and scammers know it. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center reports that in 2024, people over 60 reported $389 million in losses tied to confidence and romance scams. Those cases often involve long conversations and repeated payments, which is why the totals climb so high.

Industry monitoring also shows how concentrated these operations are around U.S. targets. Moody’s has reported that the United States accounts for 38% of newly detected romance-scam profiles in its screening database. That figure is about the number of detected scam profiles, not confirmed U.S. loss totals. Still, it supports one simple point. Americans are being targeted at scale.

Put all of that together, and the pattern is clear. Valentine’s Day does not create these scams, but it creates the perfect cover. More people are open to chatting, respond to strangers, and want to believe the story. That’s why a “wrong number” text is not harmless small talk. It’s often the first step in a scam built to take money slowly.

Romance Scam Red Flags 

Certain patterns recur in reported cases. Learning them helps you spot trouble earlier.

Watch for:

• Casual texts from unknown numbers
• Overly friendly replies after a mistake
• Rapid emotional connection
• Requests to move conversations off platforms
• Investment talk that feels informal
• Stories that avoid real-world verification

One sign alone may not confirm a scam. Several together usually do.

What To Do If You Receive One of These Romance Scam Texts  

The safest response is no response.

Do not reply or click links. Do not send “STOP.” Blocking the number prevents further contact. Reporting the message helps carriers improve spam detection.

If you shared money or personal details, report the incident to the FBI through the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Early reports help investigators connect cases.

How to Know Who Is Texting You  

Curiosity is natural. Confirming who is reaching out makes sense. The key is checking without engaging. A reverse phone lookup allows you to research a number without replying. You can see whether it connects to a real person, a business, or nothing at all.

Searchbug offers a Reverse Phone Number Lookup that pulls from public records and data sources. When data is available, it can show names, locations, and line type details. This gives you clarity without risk. No conversation. No confirmation to the sender. Just information.

Using lookup tools before replying can stop a scam before it starts.

Why Awareness Matters During Valentine’s Season  

Scammers follow patterns. Holidays create opportunity. Valentine’s Day increases messaging and emotional openness. That combination makes people easier targets.

Awareness changes outcomes. People who recognize the signs early are more likely to block and report. Fewer replies reduce the pool of active targets.

More importantly, sharing this information also protects friends and family. Many victims are not heavy internet users. A short conversation can prevent long-term damage.

Final Thoughts  

Wrong-number and butchering scams are not accidents. They’re built on patience and routine, plus one thing most of us do without thinking. We reply.

Staying cautious does not mean being rude. It just means you do not hand a stranger a clean path into your life. Additionally, when a random number texts you, do not respond just to “test the vibe”. Always check the number first, then decide what to do.

If you want a quick way to do that, use Searchbug’s Reverse Phone Number Lookup to see who may be behind the text before you reply. Good news! The first search is free, and your first purchase comes with extra Search Tokens so you can run additional lookups right away.