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4mo ago

FBI Reports Record $16.6 Billion Lost to Cybercrime in 2024

The FBI's latest Internet Crime Report highlights surging ransomware threats, cryptocurrency fraud, and senior victimization, while warning of significant underreporting.

A computer keyboard lit by a displayed cyber code is seen in this illustration picture taken on March 1, 2017. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/Illustration/File Photo
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A person passes by the FBI seal on the wall of the FBI headquarters, days after the Trump administration launched a sweeping round of cuts at the Justice Department, in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
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Overview

  • Cybercrime losses in 2024 reached $16.6 billion, a 33% increase from 2023, with 859,532 complaints filed, according to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
  • Cryptocurrency fraud accounted for $9.3 billion in losses, up 66% from 2023, with seniors disproportionately affected, reporting $2.8 billion in crypto-related losses.
  • Ransomware complaints targeting critical infrastructure rose by 9%, with healthcare, manufacturing, and energy sectors among the most impacted.
  • Americans aged 60 and older reported $4.8 billion in losses, making them the most heavily targeted demographic for scams like investment fraud and business email compromise.
  • The FBI emphasized that the reported figures likely undercount actual losses and urged victims to report incidents to improve understanding and prevention of cybercrime.