California Widow Loses Nearly $1 Million to Pig-Butchering Scam
A California widow, Margaret Loke, fell victim to a pig-butchering scam, losing nearly $1 million in savings. The elaborate scheme targeted elderly individuals, luring them into fake romantic relationships before convincing them to transfer funds. Loke, who had lived quietly since her husband's passing, was introduced to the scammer through a Facebook connection in May.
The financial devastation has left Loke struggling to retain her two-bedroom condo, purchased for retirement. "Why am I so stupid? I let him scam me!" she lamented, reviewing bank statements and wire transfers in hopes of aiding law enforcement. Authorities confirm the scam wiped out nearly all her assets.
Pig-butchering scams continue to surge, particularly in California, where criminals prey on vulnerable demographics. The FBI reports such frauds often involve cryptocurrency transactions, though no specific digital assets were mentioned in this case.
