FBI says cyber fraud losses hit $17.6 billion as crypto scams topped $11 billion
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported more than 1,008,597 cybercrime complaints in 2025, with cyber-enabled fraud driving $17.6 billion in losses and accounting for 85% of all reported losses. Investment fraud caused the most damage at $8.6 billion, followed by business email compromise at more than $3 billion and tech support fraud at $2.1 billion. Older adults were hit especially hard, with people aged 60 and above filing 201,266 complaints tied to about $7.7 billion in losses, while California, Texas, and Florida recorded the highest complaint volumes.
Cryptocurrency-related crime was a major driver of the surge, with Americans reporting $11.4 billion in crypto scam losses across 181,565 complaints, up 22% from the prior year. The FBI said many cryptocurrency investment scams are sophisticated, long-running schemes linked to organized criminal enterprises in Southeast Asia that use trafficked people as forced labor. The bureau also warned that ransomware remained a persistent threat, investigating more than 200 ransomware variants, actors, and enablers after identifying 63 new variants; ransomware complaints rose to 3,611 with more than $32 million in losses, and attacks affected 14 of 16 U.S. critical infrastructure sectors.
Timeline
Apr 27, 2026
FTC says social media scams caused over $2.1 billion in U.S. losses in 2025
The U.S. Federal Trade Commission reported that Americans lost more than $2.1 billion to scams that began on social media in 2025. FTC data said nearly 30% of people who reported losing money to a scam said the fraud started on social platforms, with Facebook accounting for the most reported losses.
Apr 8, 2026
U.S. launches Scam Center Strike Force targeting Southeast Asian fraud compounds
U.S. authorities formed the U.S. Attorney’s Office District of Columbia Scam Center Strike Force to investigate scam compounds in Southeast Asia and disrupt the infrastructure supporting related fraud operations. The initiative was highlighted alongside the FBI’s 2025 IC3 fraud reporting.
Apr 6, 2026
FBI says fraud intervention efforts froze over $679 million in 2025
In its 2025 IC3 reporting, the FBI highlighted expanded disruption efforts including Operation Winter Shield, Operation Level Up, and Financial Fraud Kill Chain interventions. The agency said these actions helped freeze more than $679 million in fraudulent transfers.
Apr 6, 2026
FBI highlights AI-related fraud in IC3 annual report for the first time
In its 2025 IC3 report, released in early April 2026, the FBI said it tracked more than 22,000 AI-related fraud complaints tied to nearly $893 million in losses. The agency also linked AI-enabled business email compromise schemes to more than $30 million in losses to businesses.
Apr 6, 2026
FBI publishes IC3 report detailing 2025 cybercrime and fraud losses
In early April 2026, the FBI released its IC3 annual report summarizing 2025 cybercrime trends, including more than $20.8 billion in total reported losses and major increases in fraud, cryptocurrency theft, and ransomware activity.
Jan 31, 2026
Chainalysis reports up to $17 billion lost globally to crypto scams in 2025
In January 2026, Chainalysis separately reported that as much as $17 billion in cryptocurrency was lost worldwide to scams and fraud during 2025.
Dec 31, 2025
FBI identifies 63 new ransomware variants over the last year
In its annual reporting, the FBI said it is investigating more than 200 ransomware variants, actors, and enablers, and identified 63 new ransomware variants over the prior year.
Dec 31, 2025
Ransomware complaints and losses rise across U.S. critical infrastructure in 2025
The FBI said ransomware complaints increased to 3,611 in 2025, with losses exceeding $32 million, up from 3,156 complaints and just over $12 million in 2024. It also reported that 14 of 16 U.S. critical infrastructure sectors were hit by ransomware attacks during the year.
Dec 31, 2025
Cryptocurrency-related scams generate $11.3B-$11.4B in U.S. losses in 2025
The FBI said Americans reported roughly $11.3 billion to $11.4 billion in cryptocurrency-linked losses in 2025, with 181,565 complaints and a 22% year-over-year increase. The agency highlighted sophisticated investment scams often tied to organized criminal enterprises in Southeast Asia.
Dec 31, 2025
Cyber-enabled fraud drives $17.6 billion in reported 2025 losses
The FBI reported that cyber-enabled fraud accounted for 85% of all reported cybercrime losses in 2025, totaling $17.6 billion. Investment fraud caused the largest losses at $8.6 billion, followed by business email compromise and tech support fraud.
Dec 31, 2025
IC3 records more than 1 million cybercrime complaints in 2025
During 2025, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 1,008,597 complaints, reflecting a broad rise in reported cybercrime and fraud affecting Americans.
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Surge in Crypto-Linked Illicit Finance and Investment Fraud
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Ongoing Cryptocurrency Scams and Thefts Targeting Individuals and Infrastructure
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