[…] this politically benign and economically backwaterish space […]

According to news reports, pig-butchering scams started in China in 2016. Back then, scammers groomed their victims to place bets on fake gambling websites.

Maybe they weren't screwing, my dear. They were just hanging out, you know. They were screwing, my dear.

And she took the time to lock the door behind her, even though she was rushing upstairs because she's such a humanitarian?