During a police raid in the Philippines, authorities discovered a handbook in a compound used by a cyberfraud gang. Written in Chinese, the manual offered step-by-step instructions on conducting scams, including detailed techniques for manipulating and deceiving victims. One line on the second page bluntly stated: “A woman’s IQ is zero when in love. As long as emotions are in place, the client’s money will naturally follow.” Another handbook, found in a separate law enforcement operation and written in both English and Chinese, focused specifically on romance scams. Together, the manuals reveal how cybercriminals exploit emotional manipulation to trick victims into believing in a romantic relationship before persuading them to invest in fraudulent schemes.

These scams are often referred to as “pig-butchering,” a term describing how targets are metaphorically led like pigs to slaughter. The FBI lists pig-butchering as one of the most common scams today. Investigations by Reuters this year highlighted how victims of human trafficking are sometimes forced to work in industrial-scale scam operations in Southeast Asia run by Chinese-led gangs. The rise of artificial intelligence has further enhanced these scams, enabling fraudsters to craft more convincing and sophisticated deceptions.

The handbooks, reviewed exclusively by Reuters, provide insight into how scammers create fake identities and adapt their approach to each victim. A spokesperson for the Philippine Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) confirmed the authenticity of the materials, stating they were recovered from two compounds north of Manila during raids last year.

The Chinese-language handbook describes a seven-day plan for defrauding women in China, involving a fake investment platform for crude oil. Victims are referred to as “clients” and the fraud as a “sale.” The bilingual manual targets male victims, recommending conversations about cryptocurrency without explicitly detailing how to extract money.

The first handbook, nine pages long, was discovered in a compound partially owned by a Chinese-born woman, Alice Guo, who is now serving a life sentence for human trafficking. Authorities also found mobile phones used in pig-butchering operations and several hundred people involved in scams, many of whom were trafficking victims.

While it’s unclear if the manuals were directly used in scams, former workers at similar compounds confirmed the methods matched what they had been instructed to do. Reports by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime indicate such scripts were found in at least two other raids in the Philippines and Thailand in 2023 and 2024.

Experts who reviewed the Chinese manual said it illustrates advanced manipulation tactics, including isolating the target and overwhelming them with affection. The scam begins with creating a fake persona, carefully constructed to form an emotional bond with the victim. Recommended traits include being a Taurus, having a managerial job at Sinopec, and presenting certain personal details such as marital status, family, and hobbies. Additional recommendations suggest matching aspects of the persona to the victim’s background and interests to foster a sense of connection.

The manuals provide day-by-day instructions. On Day 1, scammers introduce themselves and gauge the target’s interest in investments. By Day 2, discussions about potential investments begin, and by Day 5, the scammer tries to establish a romantic connection. By Day 7, the target is encouraged to invest in a fake platform. The manuals also suggest abandoning unresponsive targets quickly to maximize efficiency. The manuals include scripts for daily interaction, such as greetings and attention-focused messages, and techniques for adapting to different victim personalities. These personality types include cold-hearted, career-oriented, conservative, pampered, rough, and romantically inexperienced individuals. The goal is always to create closeness and dependency, often mirroring the victim’s behavior and interests to deepen trust.

One real-life example involved Beth Hyland, who, after a divorce, was targeted by “Richard” on Tinder. Within weeks, she was engaged and had transferred $26,000 in cryptocurrency before realizing it was a romance scam. Despite warnings from her financial advisor, she nearly sent an additional $50,000. Experts note that victims often experience lasting shame and emotional trauma, while scammers quickly move on to new targets. The Chinese manual advises constantly seeking new victims, emphasizing the efficiency and ruthlessness of these operations: “Remember not to hang yourself on one tree. Keep messaging and look for new targets.”