Cyber-enabled crimes cost Americans nearly $21 billion in 2025, according to a new report released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported receiving 1,008,597 complaints in 2025, a significant increase from 859,532 complaints in 2024. Officials said phishing and spoofing schemes, extortion, and investment fraud were among the most commonly reported crimes.
Investment scams continued to drive the largest financial losses, accounting for nearly half of all scam-related losses. In total, the IC3 received approximately 453,000 cyber-enabled fraud complaints, with reported losses exceeding $17.7 billion.
Cryptocurrency-related scams proved especially costly. Americans filed more than 181,000 complaints tied to cryptocurrency, with losses totaling more than $11 billion — the highest among all categories.
The report also highlights the growing role of artificial intelligence in cybercrime. For the first time in its history, the IC3 included a section on AI-related fraud, documenting 22,364 complaints and nearly $893 million in losses. Scammers are increasingly using tactics such as fake social media profiles, voice cloning, forged identification documents, and realistic videos to impersonate trusted individuals or public figures.
Older Americans were among the hardest hit. Victims over the age of 60 reported approximately $7.7 billion in losses, representing a 37% increase from the previous year.
The FBI said it has launched multiple initiatives to combat the rise in cybercrime. Operation Level Up, introduced in 2024, aims to identify and notify victims of cryptocurrency investment fraud and has already alerted more than 8,000 individuals, helping prevent an estimated $500 million in losses. In 2026, the agency also launched Operation Winter SHIELD, which focuses on strengthening cybersecurity practices for organizations.
Officials are urging the public to remain cautious and avoid falling victim to scams by taking time to evaluate suspicious communications.
The FBI encourages individuals to “Take a Beat” before responding to unsolicited messages or requests for money or personal information, emphasizing that scammers often rely on urgency and pressure to deceive victims.
The IC3 receives nearly 3,000 complaints each day. Anyone who believes they may have been the victim of a scam is encouraged to contact their local FBI office or file a report online at ic3.gov. Authorities advise victims to document key details, including the suspect’s name, methods of contact, payment information, and a timeline of interactions.
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