NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Have you ever received a text message out of the blue from an unknown number that was clearly meant for someone else?

There’s a chance it was part of a “Pig Butchering Scam,” and officials in Tennessee are raising awareness about them.

"It is designed by scammers to take you for everything. They want to treat you like a butcher treats a pig," said Kevin Walters with the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance.

Walters said these are scams that have cost victims millions over the past few years.

According to TDCI, Pig Butchering describes a scam that happens over a long period of time to steal someone’s money.

It all starts with that text or call.

"It says ‘I've got the wrong number’... and then they attempt to get the hook in you, which is, ‘oh, gosh,

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