We are all accustomed to reading about “pork” embedded in the legislation that comes out of Capitol Hill. The online scam known as "pig butchering" is something completely different.

The scam involves cyber thieves in various crevices of the world taking advantage of their online anonymity and sexual guile to swindle gullible marks out of their life savings. While less illustrative of the nature of the crime, these grifts are often referred to as “romance scams.”

Whether perpetrated in the real or cyber worlds, scams like these are nothing new. But what is new is the use of technology to reach a universe of marks instantaneously, as well as the scale and scope of the potential damage that can be done.

Romance scams reportedly raked in over $4.4 billion in 2023 — and just wait until artificial intelligence gets better. As more victims — particularly seniors — are relieved of their life's savings by this and similar schemes, some have suggested banks that wire the money to fraudsters at the direction of their customers should be held responsible for the loss.

Requiring software creators, AI developers, network providers and commercial firms to strengthen their cyber defenses and be more responsible for........

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