In this episode of Hashtag Trending on the weekend, host Jim Love discusses the devastating impacts of organized crime scams, often referred to as 'pig butchering.' These scams target vulnerable individuals, leading to billions of dollars in losses annually. Guest Erin West, a former prosecutor, founded Operation Shamrock, a nonprofit aimed at fighting these scams through education, disruption, and support for victims and law enforcement. West explains the sophisticated and brutal nature of these criminal operations, which often involve abuse and human trafficking. She also highlights the importance of awareness and offers practical steps for individuals and cybersecurity professionals to help combat this growing threat.
00:00 Introduction to Hashtag Trending
00:12 The Rise of Pig Butchering Scams
01:47 The Human Cost of Scams
03:37 Operation Shamrock: Fighting Back
04:08 Interview with Erin West
06:28 The Scale of the Scam Crisis
09:14 Educating and Empowering Law Enforcement
15:17 Supporting Victims and Raising Awareness
29:32 Call to Action for Cybersecurity Professionals
37:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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