"Beware of the 'Pig Butchering' Scam: Alabama Victims Lose Millions"

Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson warns the Michigan community about the "pig butchering" scam, a type of crypto scam where scammers build trust with victims through catfishing and convince them to join a financial investment scheme. Victims in the United States lost over $3 billion to this scam last year. Michigan-based life coach Simon Preslyn lost $35,000 to the scam, while others in Florida and Alabama lost $15,000 and $22 million, respectively. Officials advise the public to be cautious online and not to trust strangers promising too-good-to-be-true opportunities.