The Federal Bureau of Investigation (Federal Bureau of Investigation), widely regarded as one of the world’s most prominent law enforcement bodies, has released its annual report titled FBI’s 2025 Internet Crime Report. The findings highlight the growing scale and sophistication of cybercrime, revealing that victims collectively suffered an estimated loss of $17.7 billion in 2025 alone. This figure underscores the increasing financial and societal impact of digital threats across the globe.
According to the report, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) received more than one million complaints related to cyber fraud over the course of the year. This translates to an average of over 3,000 complaints per day, reflecting the persistent and widespread nature of online criminal activity. Notably, this represents a significant rise of approximately 17% compared to the previous year, which recorded around 859,532 complaints. The upward trend signals not only the growing number of attacks but also increased awareness and reporting among victims.
Among the various categories of cybercrime, cryptocurrency-related fraud emerged as the most financially damaging, accounting for losses exceeding $7.2 billion. The decentralized and often anonymous nature of cryptocurrencies continues to make them an attractive avenue for cybercriminals. Following this, Business Email Compromise (BEC) ranked as the second most prevalent form of cybercrime in 2025, demonstrating how attackers exploit trust in corporate communications to deceive individuals and organizations into transferring funds or sensitive information.
Other notable threats included fake customer care websites, which secured the third position in terms of frequency. These scams typically involve fraudulent support portals designed to trick users into sharing personal or financial details. Additionally, identity theft, data breaches, and ransomware attacks remained significant contributors to the overall cybercrime landscape, highlighting the diverse tactics employed by malicious actors.
In a notable development, the report marked the first time in its 25-year history that Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled cybercrime was formally recognized as a distinct category. According to FBI estimates, AI-driven fraud accounted for approximately $893 million in losses, with over 22,364 related complaints filed. This emerging trend reflects how cybercriminals are increasingly leveraging advanced technologies to enhance the scale, efficiency, and believability of their attacks, signaling a new and evolving frontier in cyber threats.
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