Cryptocurrency Investment Fraud Losses Surge in 2025 Americans lost over $11 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2025, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), marking a 22 percent increase from the previous year. The report highlights cryptocurrency investment fraud as the leading driver of financial harm, with victims aged 60 and older suffering the highest losses. The IC3 received 181,565 cryptocurrency fraud complaints in 2025, up from approximately 148,800 in 2024. Total reported losses from these scams exceeded $11.3 billion, representing more than half of the $20.9 billion in total internet crime losses recorded that year. Investment fraud alone accounted for $7.2 billion in losses, with cryptocurrency involved in 72 percent of such cases. Scammers frequently initiate contact through social media, text messages, online advertisements, or dating platforms, posing as knowledgeable industry insiders. Victims are lured into fraudulent investment groups and encouraged to send cryptocurrency to fake platforms. Once funds are transferred, perpetrators display false profits or offer fake loans to prompt additional investments. When victims attempt to withdraw money, they are often hit with fabricated taxes and fees—a final tactic to extract more value before the scammers disappear. Recovery scams, which falsely promise to help victims reclaim lost funds, are also on the rise. These secondary schemes exploit individuals already vulnerable from initial fraud, compounding financial and emotional harm. Phishing and spoofing remained the most commonly reported crime types, with 191,561 complaints, but investment fraud generated the highest financial impact. Business email compromise and tech support scams followed in total losses, contributing $3 billion and $2.1 billion respectively. The average loss per cryptocurrency fraud complaint was just under $20,700. Individuals aged 60 or older filed 201,266 complaints and reported losses exceeding $7.7 billion, making them the most affected demographic. Authorities continue to warn the public about evolving scam tactics, emphasizing that legitimate investment opportunities do not pressure victims to act quickly or demand payment in cryptocurrency. The FBI advises individuals to verify investment offers through independent sources and to report suspicious activity to the IC3.
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