Pig Butchering scam on Nextdoor

This article was put together from text and images compiled during 2024-25, and made into this web page in August 2025. Sorry for the unedited repeated points! I will refactor as time permits. --jm

The Problem

Nextdoor no longer screens new accounts for authenticity. Agents from anywhere in the world can sign up and claim they are in your neighborhood. They use a phony name and profile photo. You really have no idea if they are male or female.

I have saved a dozen or more fake profiles and partial conversations. They all follow the same "Playbook" and use a lot of the same innocent sounding phrases. Then, when you reveal you are on to their scam, they reply with the same faux outrage.

So, beware of anyone who out of the blue pops up in Chat and asks “how are you”, and soon wants to switch over to What’s App or SnapChat to discuss further so their shenanigans won’t be monitored.

For example, they might be eager to share news about great investment opportunities, grants, and so on. I don’t know what the current scam is. Beware.

The goal is to gain your trust, and then lead you to a phony investment scheme or whatever. Wikipedia has a good page - "Pig butchering scam", so-called because they first fatten you up, the send you in to be slaughtered. [WikiP]

This scam has been exposed on 60 Minutes and other media. See References below.

When you see innocent looking posts asking for recommendations for 'Delicious Food', specific ethnic food, pizza, hiking trails, and so on, consider that this is often a common ploy used to draw peeps into a conversation - it's an opening "feint" in a con game. Check to see if the account is only days old — having recently joined Nextdoor, with no other posts. If you comment on their post, they (or some other agent) may try to start a chat with you.

Alternatively, you may get an unsolicited chat message to the effect "Good Morning, John! How are you today?". Pro Tip - don't engage with strangers on Nextdoor, any more than you would reply to such a text message on your phone, or spam email. NextDoor at least warns you when a new account instantly tries chatting people up.

These same scams can happen via Facebook Messenger, via SMS texts, or Email.

Scam City

Many of the groups that run pig-butchering scams are overseas Chinese criminal syndicates based in Southeast Asia, who traffic ethnic Chinese and others into fraud factories and force these people to commit the fraud. They have lured Americans (or other foreign nationals) with job offers, and when they showed up for an interview, they were taken to a lockdown and forced to interact with Americans on line. [WikiP]

Shwe Kokko, aka "Scam_City", Myawaddy, Myanmar. Photo: Wikipedia

Photo shows a scam center in Myanmar where perpetrators of pig-butchering scams are held against their will. The Chinese Gov is supposedly cracking down on this multi-billion dollar industry.

Rogues Gallery

A rogues' gallery (or rogues gallery) is a police collection of mug shots or other images of criminal suspects kept for identification purposes.

Sophie Mercier

DasIstTobi - whats the ND Name?

In a July 2024 public post, a "person", Sophie (pictured), said she was new to the area (from France) and wanted suggestions for things to do and see in our area. Of course, many people offered typical touristy things (Oregon Coast, etc). "Sophie" was effusive thanking each person. It was obvious to me what was going on. No-one on Nextdoor has a profile photo like that! I don't think I responded in any way to her questions - I just watched what was going on, thinking maybe I should say something, like ARE YOU REAL? --- Then, on July 9, I got this CHAT message from Sophie:

"Hey, John, how's your day going?" (w / lovestruck emoticon)

I had already checked the profile for Sophie Mercier: "I'm Sophie, I'm from France, I live in San Francisco and I work in medical foreign trade." The abandoned account is still on Nextdoor (as of Aug 2025): [LINK].

I'm thinking - So many questions! I googled that photo and it seems to be associated with a Facebook account 'Das Ist Tobi' in Germany. I don't know who it is. I didn't respond to 'Sophie's' message, but others on Nextdoor were falling all over themselves replying.

Evelyn Tsai

I was contacted on Aug 5, 2024 at 12:06 pm by yet another scam agent, via NextDoor's Chat feature. See edited transcript below. The agent checked my profile for some things to flatter me with. (I doubt this was done with AI.)

Evelyn Tsai

ET. 12:06 pm Hello, John, are you busy? Can I ask you a question?

JM. 12:57 pm You just did!

ET. 1:05 pm I saw your profile and it's really cool. Are you in the IT industry?

JM. 1:14 pm I was. I’m retired now, thanks.

ET. 1:28 pm You are a talented computer science professor. You not only cultivate countless outstanding talents in the classroom, but also actively participate in community affairs and make significant contributions to society. Could you please share with us what outdoor sports you like to participate in the most?

JM. 1:30 pm Who is "us"?

ET. 1:33 pm Sorry, I think I used the wrong word.

ET. 1:33 pm I

JM. 1:35 pm Oh, that's easy to do. "me" would be the correct word. "Share with me". Not share with I. I like hiking, urban or otherwise. My current research has to do with using AI.

ET. 1:43 pm What a coincidence! I also like hiking. I prefer hiking outdoors, which allows me to enjoy the natural scenery and exercise.

ET continues. Wow, are you still studying artificial intelligence? It's interesting. Nowadays, artificial intelligence, as an emerging technology, is widely used in many fields, such as computer science and medical finance. Do you think there are any challenges with current artificial intelligence technology?

I had reported the chat earlier, so I just stopped at this point to go catch a bus. This one really sounds like it used AI to scour my profile and come up with some lines. "What do you think, Linda?" (From Fahrenheit 451)

Melissa Zhou

Melissa Zhou

Public Post.

Hi Neighbors,

I’m at a bit of a crossroads in life and have been reflecting on some big decisions—both personal and professional—that could significantly shape my future.

While I trust my own judgment, I also know there’s value in hearing different perspectives. If you’ve ever faced a major turning point or tough decision, how did you work through it? Were there any strategies, philosophies, or pieces of advice that helped guide you? How did you strike a balance between practicality and passion, or between logic and intuition?

I’d really appreciate any insights or experiences you’re willing to share. Thanks in advance for your time and wisdom!

I reported. MZ posted a longer essay around midnight. I commented. By morning the account and both posts was gone. Most likely deleted by the poster, not ND.

Zeineb Sitts

Zeineb Sitts

Private message / Chat.

zeineb s. 9:44 am Hey John, happy Monday, nice to see you around here, how are you?

JM 10:01 am I'm Good. It's Tuesday where I live. How are things in your neck of the woods?

zeineb s. 10:08 am Likewise, it's Tuesday here, if you accept friendship? Have you started working? Maybe you're retired,

JM 10:10 am What do you mean, accept friendship? Yes I am quasi retired -- Trying to spend time on my iOS Apps. What do you do for a living?

zeineb s. 10:16 am Sounds good. I'm engaged in steel trading, shipping Chinese steel to the United States, Canada and other countries for distribution.

zeineb s. I mean I hope we can be friends.

Profile Images only

These accounts were exhibiting typical phony dialog.

Aiko L

Aiko L

Anne Lee

Anne Lee - of SW Hills

Catherine Hernandez

Catherine Hernandez

Charlotte Dupuis

Charlotte Dupuis

Eun Park

Eun Park

Toni Trotman

Toni Trotman

Yuri Inoue

Yuri Inoue

Text Only

These guys posted or opened a Chat, but had no profile photo.

Agnes Bratzeli

?? Need to find their post.

Benji Beard

Benji Beard: I just moved to Portland from Ohio. Best decision I’ve made probably ever. It’s only been a few days and I still can’t believe I actually live here now. I can’t wait to see some nature, what are your favorite trails and parks?

John Miller: Did you join Hayhurst 2 years ago to check the area out while in Ohio? Reply

Benji Beard: John no I didn’t, I didn’t know I was moving here back then

JM: Very curious. I found this on your timeline:
Benji Beard
Columbus, OH
28 Jul 22
Benji Beard just joined Hayhurst.

(No response from Benji.)

Zlwei Yang

ZIwei Yang: Hello, John, this is my first time here on business, I am not very familiar with this place, so I would like to ask if there are any good restaurants nearby that you can recommend?

Molly Yang

Molly: Excuse me, can I ask you a question?🙂

Me: You just did!

Molly: Happy Thursday Anthony, great to hear from you, I spotted you in the Collins View community so gave you a hi. So how long have you lived in Collins View?

Me: ICYMI, my name is John. Maybe you are reaching out to a number of folks this way, and got you copy-paste mixed up?

Molly's bio: Hello! I'm Molly Yang, a person who likes to explore the world and share life. I love golf, travel and food. I like to capture the beautiful moments of life with my camera and share them with you on my social space. In addition, I also like reading, music and fashion. Welcome to join my social circle to communicate, learn and explore this colorful world together!

Molly Yang is on Nextdoor in Highland Park, in some other state!

References

A link appears with each reference, to the source.

Paul L on Nextdoor provided a list of scams these “engagement-seeking” accounts attempt to use on unsuspecting neighbors:

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