International Law Enforcement Agency Warns Individuals Hesitate to Report Digital Deceptions Due to Anxiety about Being Labeled Swine
International Law Enforcement Agency Warns Individuals Hesitate to Report Digital Deceptions Due to Anxiety about Being Labeled Swine
The phrase "pig butchering" has effectively sparked public interest in detecting web-based deceits that can result in individuals losing their savings and financial stability. However, this term has unfortunately not encouraged victims to report such crimes, with the main reason being that nobody desires to be labeled as a "pig," as asserted by Interpol.
Interpol (who, in a figurative sense, could be considered "pigs" themselves) is urging governments and organizations to quit using "pig butchering" as a general term for online frauds. The primary reason for this recommendation: the term, while potent and eye-catching, shifts the blame to the victims rather than the perpetrators. Such blame allocation is not surprising given the source of the term, originating from the scammers themselves.
Instead of "pig butchering," which has grown into a substantial catchall phrase, Interpol proposes using more precise terminology that concentrated on the actions of the criminal elements rather than the victims. For instance, phrases like "investment scam" or "catfishing" more accurately describe the fraud being committed and don't cast aspersions on the individuals who are being targeted.
Though minor, this modification can have an impact. Language holds significant weight in various ways that we may not be aware of. For example: a person "reporting" a crime contrasts with a person "alleging" a crime was committed, offering comfort to the former. "Reporting" implies the crime occurred, whereas "alleging" a crime suggests a level of doubt. More importantly, studies have shown that the language used to describe a person involved in a crime can lead to more unfavorable preconceptions. When a person is referred to as a "felon," they are more likely to elicit negative reactions, whereas a "person with a felony conviction" evokes more positive responses.
Unsurprisingly, those who have had their bank accounts drained may not be eager to be labeled as "pigs" that were lured by suave fraudsters.
If Interpol's linguistic alteration results in more reports of criminal activity, it would be a victory. In 2023, the FTC reported that Americans were defrauded of more than $10 billion, including $4.6 billion due to investment scams and $1.14 billion from love scams. The FBI found that online frauds increased by 22% from 2022, with cybercriminals making increasing use of AI tools to devise their schemes.
Ideally, more reports of these deceits will assist agencies like Interpol in apprehending the offenders, who have victimized more than just the individuals from whom they steal money. Journalistic reports from the Wall Street Journal and Wired have disclosed that some of these deceptions rely on involuntary labor provided by individuals who have been trafficked and forced to cooperate or face abuse.
The shift towards using more precise terms, as suggested by Interpol, could encourage more victims to report online frauds, reducing the stigma associated with being labeled as a "pig." In the future, the use of terms like "investment scam" or "catfishing" could lead to a significant increase in reported cases, aiding law enforcement in combating cybercrime and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation.