Americans lost more than $11 billion to cryptocurrency scams in 2025 marking a sharp rise in fraud tied to digital assets, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The FBI said it received over 181,000 crypto-related complaints during the year with total losses climbing more than 20% year-over-year making crypto scams the costliest category of cybercrime.
Investment scams accounted for the bulk of losses at over $7 billion as fraudsters increasingly lured victims into fake crypto opportunities. Meanwhile, scams involving AI tools and impersonation tactics are accelerating contributing nearly $900 million in reported losses.
Older Americans were hit hardest with those aged 60 and above losing roughly $4.4 billion while crypto ATM fraud also surged generating hundreds of millions in losses as scammers exploited kiosks to move funds quickly.
The FBI also flagged a growing number of cases involving minors with crypto-related scams making up a notable share of complaints among victims under 18.
To counter the trend, the agency has expanded efforts like ‘Operation Level Up,’ which has already helped warn thousands of potential victims and prevent hundreds of millions of dollars in losses.
Overall, authorities warn that crypto’s speed, global reach, and limited oversight continue to make it an attractive tool for increasingly sophisticated fraud schemes.
REPORT | Over 80% of All Investment Fraud Losses are Crypto Related, says Latest FBI Report
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