A merciless relationship scam generally known as “pig butchering” is among the many most convincing cons of 2023 to date, a shopper group warned.

It has been given its title by swindlers who “fatten up” the sufferer by forming a romantic connection, earlier than finishing up fraud.

Which? mentioned it's a part of a “new wave” of refined scams and have urged folks to remember.

In pig butchering, the scammer sometimes meets the sufferer on a relationship website the place they seem to take a fantastic curiosity of their life, generally known as “love bombing”.

The fraudster will encourage the sufferer to maneuver to a personal messaging service, eradicating any protections the platform could give.

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The con artist will then declare they've had success investing – sometimes in property or cryptocurrency – and provide to speculate among the sufferer’s cash.

If they settle for, they could be proven a platform managed by the scammers and advised to place down funds. One particular person misplaced £107,000 to pig butchering after believing she was investing in retirement flats.

Lisa Barber, of Which? mentioned: “It’s appalling that 2023 has seen scammers continuing to thrive, as a new wave of scams bombards consumers. The sad theme of all these is that tech platforms don’t always keep you safe.

“Consumers can help protect themselves by accessing the wide range of free, expert advice on Which?’s website. Responsibility should not fall solely on the shoulders of consumers.

“Tech platforms and the government need to up their game.”