Internet crime complaints continued rising, reaching more than 3,000 per day and surpassing 1 million annually for the first time. Reported losses tied to online criminal activity topped $20 billion, exceeding 2024 totals by more than $4 billion and more than doubling losses from four years earlier. Many victims do not report crimes, so actual totals are likely higher. AI-driven crimes increased sharply, with 22,364 AI-related complaints and more than $893 million in losses. AI enables more convincing deepfakes for blackmail, more effective impersonation of executives through chatbots, and improved romance scams. Phishing and spoofing produced the most complaints, with nearly 192,000 victims and over $215 million in losses, while investment scams caused larger losses despite fewer complaints.
"The 2025 Internet Crime Report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) shows a continued rise in internet crime complaints, with officials receiving more than 3,000 per day and the annual total surpassing 1 million for the first time. (And that figure is likely far below the actual total, since many victims never report these crimes.)"
"Advances in artificial intelligence are giving hackers and other cybercriminals a host of new tools, which they're eagerly embracing. Last year, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center received 22,364 complaints of AI-related cybercrimes, which resulted in more than $893 million in losses. Criminals have long used altered videos and images to blackmail victims, but AI can now generate far more convincing fakes that are increasingly difficult to spot."
"AI-powered chatbots can also mimic corporate executives, tricking employees into wiring money or clicking phishing links. Romance scammers, too, are increasingly turning to AI to deceive victims. It's a trend that's likely to continue escalating at a rapid clip in years to come."
"Of all the internet crimes tracked by the FBI, phishing and spoofing generated the highest number of complaints last year, with nearly 192,000 victims reporting losses. Those crimes accounted for more than $215 million in losses. That figure pales in comparison to investment scams, however. Although the FBI received far fewer complaints in that category, just under 73,000, the scheme"
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