FBI Reports 22% Increase in Crypto Fraud Losses as Investment Scams Dominate

_{Photo credit: Jonathan Weiss / Shutterstock.com}

Both the number of complaints and total losses involving cryptocurrency in the United States rose sharply in 2025, according to new data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). For the first time, the report also included a section focusing on AI.

Figures from the IC3 show that losses involving cryptocurrency reached $11.37 billion in 2025, a 22% increase year over year. This accounts for a significant share of the $20.88 billion in total reported cybercrime losses, which rose 26% compared to 2024. 

The Operations Director for the FBI’s Criminal and Cyber Branch Jose Perez said:

“Investment-related fraud was once again the largest component of these losses, followed by business email compromises and tech support scams. The FBI continues to disrupt and deter malicious cyber actors, and shift the cost from victims to our adversaries. One example was Operation Level Up, which countered crypto investment scams. This FBI-led initiative has reduced potential losses by more than $500 million since 2024.”

Although it was involved in 45% of complaints, cyber-enabled fraud accounted for almost 85% of reported losses, totaling $17.7 billion.

The FBI estimates that cryptocurrency investment fraud alone led to $7.2 billion in losses. 

Scams often rely on prolonged social engineering, with victims targeted through social media, messaging platforms, and dating apps before being directed to fraudulent investment sites.

While investment fraud involving AI reported to the FBI surpassed $632 million, overall losses were more than $8 billion, indicating that victims may not be aware AI has even been used. Last month, Interpol reported that AI-enhanced fraud was 4.5 times more profitable than traditional methods.

Perez continued: “It has never been more important to be diligent with your cybersecurity, social media footprint, and electronic interactions. Cyber threats and cyber-enabled crime will continue to evolve as the world embraces emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.”