Not sure about the nature of a "pig butchering" scam. If it was an investment, the most efficient way to claim a loss is if you were able to close the transaction such that you realized a loss. In other words, you were able to sell your investment which would allow you to realize a loss. To claim this was a worthless security is more complicated and we would need more information from you to better assess your tax situation. Moreover, even with additional information, our advice may be to seek assistance from a personal tax advisor.
A theft loss may be an option for you, although, there are requirements for proving theft and similar to a worthless security, whether you can claim a theft loss will turn on the evidence. A theft is the taking and removal of money or property with the intent to deprive the owner of it. The taking must be illegal under the law of the state where it occurred and must have been done with criminal intent. The amount of your theft loss is generally the adjusted basis of your property because the fair market value of your property immediately after the theft is considered to be zero.
Below is a link to an IRS webpage that addresses casualty, disaster, and theft losses which you might find helpful.
Casualty, Disaster and Theft Losses
@LeoVTM
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