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Interpol has urged a shift from the term ‘pig butchering’ to ‘romance baiting’ when referring to online relationship and investment scams. This change aims to reduce stigmatization of victims, encouraging them to report these crimes. The term ‘pig butchering’ has been deemed dehumanizing and insensitive towards the affected individuals.

By promoting the use of ‘romance baiting,’ Interpol hopes to foster a more empathetic approach, increasing reporting of such scams and bringing fraudsters to justice. The new term highlights the emotional manipulation aspect, focusing on the fraudulent practices rather than blaming the victims.

Operation HAECHI V, a global cybercrime operation involving 40 countries, resulted in over 5,500 arrests and the seizure of over \$400 million in assets. The operation targeted various financial crimes, including phishing, romance scams, sextortion, and business email compromise (BEC).

Interpol, in collaboration with Afripol, conducted Operation Serengeti, resulting in the arrest of over 1,000 cybercrime suspects across 19 African countries. The operation targeted various cybercrimes, including ransomware, business email compromise (BEC), digital extortion, and online scams, impacting more than 35,000 victims with millions in financial losses. This highlights the significant cybercrime activity within the region and the need for international cooperation to combat these crimes.