FBI and International Partners Arrest 276 Individuals in Global Crypto 'Pig Butchering' Crackdown

Apr 30, 2026

The FBI and international partners arrested 276 individuals in a coordinated global crackdown on cryptocurrency 'pig butchering' scams, with 275 arrests in Dubai and one in Thailand. European police conducted a separate operation that arrested 10 people and dismantled three scam centers estimated to have stolen over $58 million from victims worldwide. Pig butchering scams are sophisticated romance fraud schemes where criminals build trust with victims before convincing them to invest in fake cryptocurrency platforms. The coordinated operations represent a significant international law enforcement effort to combat these transnational fraud networks that have caused substantial financial losses globally.

FBI-led Global Crackdown on Crypto Pig Butchering Scams

▪The FBI and international partners arrested 276 individuals in a global crypto pig butchering crackdown.

European Police Operation Against Scam Centers

▪European police took down three scam centers in a police action.
▪European police arrested 10 people in a police action against scam centers.
▪The three scam centers taken down by European police are estimated to have stolen over $58 million from victims around the world.

Perspective of FBI and international law enforcement

▪The arrests of 276 individuals represent a significant disruption to pig butchering scam networks operating globally.
▪The FBI-led operation demonstrates effective international cooperation in combating cryptocurrency-based romance scams.

Perspective of Victims of pig butchering scams

▪The dismantling of scam centers that stole over $58 million provides some measure of justice for victims of pig butchering fraud.
▪Victims of cryptocurrency romance scams face substantial financial and emotional harm from pig butchering operations.