MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WMBF) – The FBI is warning you about these three cybercrimes after South Carolinians lost $264 million in 2025.
A new report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center shows investment fraud, business email compromises and tech support scams are doing the most damage.
Investment fraud promises low or no risk and guaranteed returns if victims send money up front. There is no such thing as a guaranteed return.
The IC3 report shows South Carolinians lost $84.7 million to investment fraud scams in 2025, up from $38.4 million in 2024.
Business email compromises came in second, costing people $64.5 million.
Business email compromise scams happen when criminals urge victims to click a link that can install malware on a computer.
Scammers also pose as customers or tech support. This scheme took the third spot, costing people $28.8 million, up from $14.5 million in 2024.
Criminals pose as tech support or customer service representatives, saying there’s a problem with your computer or bank account. They pressure you to act fast, pay a fee, or let them remotely control a device, then steal information or money.
People 60 and older filed the most complaints and lost the most money, totaling nearly $97.3 million.
South Carolina ranked 21st in the nation for the number of complaints reported. It saw a sharp increase in reporting $264 million in losses in 2025 compared to $146 million in 2024.
The FBI says to always slow down and think before sending money or giving any personal information.
Victims can file a complaint at ic3.gov.
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