FBI: Crypto and AI Scams Cost Americans Billions

Americans reported nearly $21 billion in losses from cybercrime in 2025, the highest total recorded by the FBI in more than two decades of tracking internet crime [1]. The agency’s annual report highlights a surge in fraud involving cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence, with investment scams remaining the costliest category [2].

Key takeaways

• Total cybercrime losses reached nearly $21 billion in 2025, a record high [1].
• Cryptocurrency-related fraud accounted for more than $11 billion in losses [2].
• AI scams were tracked for the first time, resulting in roughly $893 million in losses [1].
• Victims aged 60 and older reported more than $7.7 billion in losses [3].

Cryptocurrency drives record financial losses

Cryptocurrency-related fraud accounted for the largest share of financial losses, totaling more than $11 billion, according to the FBI [2]. Investment scams, which often involve building trust over time before disappearing with funds, caused $8.6 billion in damage, with cryptocurrency making up almost three-quarters of these incidents [2]. Business email compromise schemes, where criminals pose as trusted vendors or executives to divert payments, also contributed significantly, costing at least $3 billion in 2025 [2].

Artificial intelligence amplifies deception

For the first time, the FBI formally tracked AI-related fraud, documenting more than 22,000 complaints and approximately $893 million in losses [1]. Scammers are utilizing the technology to clone voices, generate convincing emails, and create fake profiles or videos to sell fraudulent investments [1][2]. Special Agent Dominique Evans of the FBI Norfolk Field Office noted that while criminals can clone voices or images, there are often "strange nuances" that can alert victims [4]. The agency warns that AI is making traditional red flags harder to spot and allows fraud to scale more easily [3].

Why it matters

The FBI warns that cyber threats will continue to evolve as emerging technologies like AI become more integrated into daily life [3]. Older adults reported the highest losses of any demographic, underscoring the vulnerability of specific populations to sophisticated schemes [1][3]. Law enforcement agencies urge victims to report incidents quickly through the Internet Crime Complaint Center to aid in potential recovery efforts [2].