Pig Butchering Scams: The Industrialization of Social Engineering and Investment Fraud

October 29, 2026
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Webinar

                                             

Chapter Meeting Announcement

Pig Butchering Scams: The Industrialization of Social Engineering and Investment Fraud

 

Presented by:

Peter Warmka

Founder, Counterintelligence Institute

Location:

Webinar

Date:

Thursday, October 29, 2026

Times:

10:00am – 12:00pm

CPEs

2 CPE Hours

 

Course Description:  

Pig-butchering scams—long-con schemes that blend online romance fraud, investment deception, and human trafficking—are surging worldwide and targeting victims across all income levels and professions. This session dissects the anatomy of these operations, from the patient grooming of targets to the sophisticated crypto-investment ruses that drain life savings.

A striking case study involves Shan Hanes, CEO of Hearland Tri-State Bank in Kansas, who was manipulated into transferring millions of dollars of bank funds to fraudsters. Through this real-world example, attendees will learn how even seasoned financial leaders can be psychologically and operationally compromised.


Drawing on intelligence-tradecraft insights, we will explore how criminals cultivate trust, exploit emotional vulnerabilities, and leverage technology to evade detection. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to detect early warning signs, strengthen internal controls, and educate employees and clients before it’s too late.

 

Learning Objectives: 

·     Identify the key tactics and behavioral indicators used in pig-butchering scams, including grooming techniques, investment deception, and social engineering methods.

·     Apply practical strategies to detect early warning signs, strengthen internal controls, and prevent financial losses from complex fraud schemes.

 

Additional Information: 

·     Delivery Method:  Webinar

·     Field of Study:  Specialized Knowledge

·     Program Level: Beginner

·     Prerequisites:  None

·     Advanced Preparation: None

 

Who Should Attend:  Certified Fraud Examiners and other anti-fraud specialists, investigators, risk managers, internal and independent auditors, CPAs, and other professionals or government employees interested in identifying the key tactics and behavioral indicators used in pig-butchering scams, and learning how to apply practical strategies to detect early warning signs, strengthen internal controls, and prevent financial losses from complex fraud schemes.

 

Registration Fee: 

         ·      Members: $70

         ·      Non-Members: $80

 

Registration: Register at https://elpasocfe.com/meetinginfo.php 

 

The first 20 eligible participants to register by October 22 will receive lunch on us! *

 

Deadline to register is October 28, 2026.  Reservations not cancelled within 24 hours of the event will be billed at the chapter’s discretion.  Refunds will be honored net of any payment fees incurred by the chapter if paid via StarChapterPay.

 

About the Presenter:

Peter Warmka is a former Senior Intelligence Officer with the CIA, having over 20 years of experience in breaching the security of target organizations overseas. He is an Adjunct Professor at Webster University's Master’s in Cybersecurity Program, Founder of Orlando-based firm Counterintelligence Institute, LLC, and author of the non-fiction books "Confessions of a CIA Spy - The Art of Human Hacking” and “Why Are You Messing With Me? A Senior Survival Guide on Fraud, Security, and Privacy.”

 

Mr. Warmka is a frequent Keynote speaker at international conferences and corporate events on topics such as human hacking, insider threats, artificial intelligence, and espionage.

 

He received a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and a master’s degree in International Business Management from Thunderbird School of Global Management. Mr. Warmka is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and Certified Protection Professional (CPP).


*Participants who register by10/22/26 at 5:00PM MT will be eligible to receive a $10 e-gift card to order lunch in advance of the event. Eligible participants will receive an email approximately 24 hours prior to the webinar. We reserve the right to modify, cancel, or otherwise alter the event without notice, and to modify, cancel withhold or otherwise alter the e-gift card or other incentive.