In 2024, scammers and cybercriminals took $16.6 billion from Americans, which represents a 33% rise compared to the previous year, according to an FBI report released on April 23.
According to Cynthia Kaiser, the deputy assistant director of the FBI’s Cyber Division, the “staggering” new record highlighted in the report issued by the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) probably falls short of capturing the complete extent of losses due to cyber-enabled fraud and scams. As confirmed by FBI authorities, this number reflects merely the data and complaints reported by those who were victimized and reached out to the IC3.
In 2024, the IC3 recorded 859,532 reports related to scams, fraud, and various types of alleged online criminal activities as stated in their latest report. According to this document, about 83% of documented financial losses stemmed from cyber-enabled fraud. This type of fraudulent activity frequently includes stealing funds, personal information, identities, or manufacturing fake products and services.
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Victims ages 60 and older The most affected demographic group experienced the brunt of these issues, according to the report. In 2024, this segment saw over $4.8 billion in losses spanning more than 147,000 complaints, representing an increase exceeding 40% compared to 2023 numbers.
The document further indicated that ransomware remained the foremost danger to U.S. essential infrastructure in 2024, with reports increasing by 9% compared to 2023. Notable cybersecurity breaches have led government agencies to urge businesses and institutions to enhance their defenses. beef up their security .
"Given that almost every facet of our daily existence is now digitally interconnected, the potential targets for cyber criminals have increased dramatically," wrote B. Chad Yarbrough, the FBI’s Operations Director for Criminal and Cyber, in the report.
Yarbrough further stated, “Fraudsters are now utilizing the internet to pilfer the hard-won savings of American citizens.” He continued, “With current technological capabilities, it only takes a few keystrokes to compromise networks, disrupt water systems, or plunder digital marketplaces.”
Ransomware represents the most widespread danger to crucial infrastructures in the U.S.
Government agencies have highlighted that cybercrime poses a "substantial and increasing danger" to the nation’s safety and financial stability. The IC3 report noted that ransomware remained "the foremost menace" to essential services and infrastructures.
The report also noted that the most frequently cited cybersecurity risks for essential service providers were ransomware attacks and data breaches.
Ransomware constitutes a form of malevolent software that restricts access to a victim's computer files, systems, or networks unless an extortive fee is paid, as stated by the FBI. These ransomware assaults represent only one category within the broader spectrum of cyberattacks. targeting critical infrastructure a phrase covering 16 industries such as chemical facilities, telecommunications, energy, food manufacturing, transport, and water infrastructure.
According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), their "inability to function or loss would significantly impair" public health and safety.
According to Kaiser, critical manufacturing, healthcare, governmental institutions, financial services, and information technology were the primary sectors targeted in ransomware attacks. The five most frequently reported ransomware variants in 2024 consisted of Akira, LockBit , RansomHub , FOG, and PLAY," the report indicated.
The increase in ransomware reports was alarming, according to the FBI, particularly considering various major international law enforcement initiatives. targeting ransomware operators And cybercrime forums in the year 2024.
In 2024, the FBI implemented substantial measures to increase the difficulty and cost for cybercriminals to achieve their objectives," Yarbrough stated in the report. "We delivered a severe setback to LockBit, among the globe’s most prolific ransomware organizations. From 2022 onwards, we have provided numerous decryption keys to attack victims, preventing over $800 million in ransom payouts.
Leading cybercrimes reported by victims in 2024
The study revealed that the leading three types of cybercrime reported in 2024 were phishing/spoofing , blackmail, and personal data leaks. Most of the complaints reported to IC3 came from California, Texas, and Florida.
The document further underscored increasing occurrences across multiple scam categories, such as:
- Call center scams : Approximately $1.9 billion in losses across 53,369 complaints
- Emergency scams :$2.7 million in damages across 357 grievances
- Toll scams :$129,624 in damages across 59,271 grievances
- Gold courier scams : Approximately $219 million in damages across 525 grievances
Cryptocurrency fraud resulted in at least $9.3 billion in losses in 2024 , scattered among investment frauds; blackmail and sextortion ; and cryptocurrency ATMs and kiosks According to the report, cryptocurrency-related fraud saw an increase of 66% in 2023.
"Cryptocurrency has emerged as an alluring method for defrauding investors, washing ill-gotten gains, and participating in various illegal activities," Yarbrough stated in the report.
The FBI has informed over 5,400 individuals about cryptocurrency scams targeting them from January 2024 through April 2025, with many unaware they were under threat, stated Christopher Delzotto, head of the Financial Crime Section at the FBI.
FBI officials have recommended that individuals regularly check consumer and industry warnings issued by the IC3. They also emphasized reporting potential frauds to the IC3, noting that this assists authorities in their fight against cybercrime.
Contributing: Reuters
The article initially appeared on USA TODAY: According to a recent FBI report, cybercriminals and fraudsters stole an all-time high of $16 billion in 2024.