The secret world behind those scammy text messages

Enlarge this image Messages a victim of an online scam known as “pig butchering,” exchanged with a person who would later turn out to be a scammer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 2024. BASTIEN INZAURRALDE/AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption BASTIEN INZAURRALDE/AFP via Getty Images Messages a victim of an online scam known as “pig butchering,” exchanged with a person who would later turn out to be a scammer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 9, 2024. BASTIEN INZAURRALDE/AFP via Getty Images You might have seen these texts before. The scam starts innocently enough. Maybe it’s a “Long time no see” or “Hello” or “How are you.” For investigative reporter Zeke Faux it was – “Hi David, I’m Vicky Ho. Don’t you remember me?” Many people ignore them. But Zeke responded. He wanted to get scammed. This led him on a journey halfway around the world to find out who is sending him random wrong number texts and why. After you hear this story, you’ll never look at these messages the same way again. To hear the full episode check out Search Engine’s website. Sponsor Message Search Engine was created by P. J. Vogt and Sruthi Pinnamaneni. This episode was produced by Garrott Graham and Noah John. It was fact-checked by Sean Merchant. Theme, original composition, and mixing by Armin Bazarian. Search Engine’s executive producers are Jenna Weiss-Berman and Leah Reis-Dennis. Find more Planet Money: Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Our weekly Newsletter. Listen free at these links: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, the NPR app or anywhere you get podcasts. Help support Planet Money and hear our bonus episodes by subscribing to Planet Money+ in Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org/planetmoney.