U.S.CRIME WATCH

California retiree loses $500,000 in pig butcher scam, then falls…

The scheme, known as pig butchering, builds an online friendship before steering victims to fake investments; the retiree was allegedly targeted a second time after the first loss.

On air: Rosa Ticks and Chip Darnell on BBN Crime Watch
Published 8:51 PM ET, Saturday, October 17, 2026

At a glance

First reported by ABC7 Chicago: “Northern California retiree loses $500,000 in pig butcher scam, then falls for the same scam again”.
Covered on BBN on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 8:51 PM ET on BBN Crime Watch, by Rosa Ticks and Chip Darnell.
Topics: California.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

ABC7 ChicagoNorthern California retiree loses $500,000 in pig butcher scam, then falls for the same scam again

What BBN said about it

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA retiree in Northern California lost five hundred thousand dollars to a pig butchering scam, ABC Seven in Chicago reports, and then fell for the same scam again.
Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterHalf a million dollars! Gone! And it's a quiet suburban kitchen, the coffee is cold, and the phone is allegedly buzzing again!
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorPig butchering means the scammer builds a friendship online first, then steers the victim toward a fake investment. The friendship is the whole product.
Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterTwice?
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorTwice. You've got to admire the loyalty, Rosa. Most people can't stick with a gym.
Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterAllegedly, the scammers just reran the pilot, and it got the same ratings.
Rosa Ticks · Live ReporterRex has the Gridiron, and I bet his teams don't fall for the same play twice.