From pig butchering to AI scams: FBI report shows crypto at the center of $20B cybercrime surge

The FBI’s latest Internet Crime Complaint Center [IC3] report has revealed a sharp rise in cybercrime losses, with total reported damages exceeding $20.8 billion in 2025. 

The figure marks a 26% increase year-over-year, highlighting the growing scale and sophistication of online financial crime.

According to the report, more than 1 million complaints were filed in 2025, underscoring how cyber-enabled fraud is becoming a systemic risk rather than a niche threat.

Crypto emerges as the backbone of online fraud

A key takeaway from the report is the dominant role of cryptocurrency in illicit financial activity. Losses tied to crypto-related fraud reached approximately $11.36 billion, making it the single largest transaction medium used in cybercrime.

Investment scams alone accounted for $8.6 billion in losses — the highest among all categories. 

These schemes typically involve long-term manipulation tactics, where victims are lured into fake trading platforms and encouraged to deposit increasing amounts of funds, often in crypto.

The report notes that many of these operations are run by organized groups, frequently linked to scam networks in Southeast Asia. 

These campaigns rely heavily on social engineering, often beginning through social media or messaging apps before transitioning victims to controlled platforms.

Older investors bear the brunt

Cybercrime is not affecting all demographics equally. Individuals aged 60 and above recorded the highest losses, totaling $7.7 billion in 2025. This highlights a growing vulnerability among older users, particularly those targeted by investment and impersonation scams.

The data suggests that as digital assets become more mainstream, less tech-native participants are increasingly exposed to complex fraud schemes.

Fraud tactics evolve as AI enters the mix

Beyond crypto, the report also points to emerging risks tied to artificial intelligence. Over 22,000 complaints in 2025 involved AI-related elements, signaling an early but notable shift in how scams are executed.

Phishing, extortion, and identity-based fraud remain among the most common attack vectors by volume. However, financially, investment scams continue to dominate, accounting for a significant portion of total losses.

A growing structural challenge

Cyber-enabled fraud accounted for nearly 85% of all reported losses, reinforcing its position as the primary driver of financial crime in the digital era. 

The increasing use of cryptocurrency in these schemes presents a complex challenge for regulators and law enforcement, particularly given the speed and cross-border nature of transactions.

While initiatives such as the FBI’s Recovery Asset Team have helped freeze portions of stolen funds, the report makes clear that prevention remains the most effective defense.

As cybercrime continues to scale alongside digital finance, the findings suggest that crypto’s role in global financial systems will remain closely tied to ongoing debates around regulation, surveillance, and user protection.

Final Summary

• Crypto-linked fraud accounted for over $11B in losses, reinforcing its role as the primary transaction rail in modern cybercrime.
• Investment scams and organized “pig butchering” operations continue to drive the bulk of losses, with older users remaining the most affected demographic.