In 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) documented a significant escalation in cybercrime, with reported losses reaching $16.6 billion—a 33% increase from the previous year. This surge underscores the growing sophistication and prevalence of cyber threats affecting individuals and organizations across the United States.
Overview of Cybercrime Statistics
The IC3 received 859,532 complaints in 2024, reflecting a slight decrease from 2023’s 880,000 complaints. However, the financial impact of these crimes has intensified, indicating that cybercriminals are executing more effective and damaging attacks. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/fbi-internet-crime-loss-record-high-2024?utm_source=openai))
Predominant Cyber Threats
The most frequently reported cybercrimes in 2024 included phishing, data extortion, and personal data breaches. These attacks exploit human vulnerabilities and technological weaknesses, leading to substantial financial and personal losses. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/fbi-internet-crime-loss-record-high-2024?utm_source=openai))
Investment Fraud: A Leading Concern
Investment fraud emerged as the most financially damaging cybercrime, with losses escalating to $6.57 billion in 2024. This represents a significant increase from the previous year, highlighting the effectiveness of schemes that deceive individuals into making fraudulent investments. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-says-cybercrime-costs-rose-least-16-billion-2024-2025-04-23/?utm_source=openai))
Business Email Compromise (BEC) Schemes
BEC schemes accounted for $2.77 billion in losses. In these scams, attackers compromise legitimate business email accounts to initiate unauthorized fund transfers, often by deceiving employees into transferring money to fraudulent accounts. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-says-cybercrime-costs-rose-least-16-billion-2024-2025-04-23/?utm_source=openai))
Tech Support Fraud Targeting Seniors
Tech support fraud resulted in approximately $1.46 billion in damages, disproportionately affecting older adults. Scammers pose as technical support personnel to gain access to victims’ computers, leading to financial exploitation. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/fbi-internet-crime-loss-record-high-2024?utm_source=openai))
Ransomware: A Persistent Threat
Ransomware attacks continued to pose significant challenges, with complaints increasing by 9% from 2023. These attacks targeted critical infrastructure sectors, including healthcare, manufacturing, and government facilities. The LockBit ransomware variant was notably prevalent, employing advanced encryption to lock systems and demanding cryptocurrency payments for decryption keys. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/complaints-about-ransomware-attacks-us-infrastructure-rise-9-fbi-says-2025-04-23/?utm_source=openai))
Impact on Critical Infrastructure
Critical infrastructure sectors suffered disproportionately from ransomware attacks. Healthcare, financial services, and government entities reported the highest number of incidents, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity measures in these vital areas. ([reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/complaints-about-ransomware-attacks-us-infrastructure-rise-9-fbi-says-2025-04-23/?utm_source=openai))
Recovery Efforts and Successes
The FBI’s Recovery Asset Team (RAT) achieved a 66% success rate in freezing fraudulent transactions, recovering over $561 million in 2024. This underscores the importance of promptly reporting cyber incidents to facilitate recovery efforts. ([cybersecuritynews.com](https://cybersecuritynews.com/fbi-releases-crime/?utm_source=openai))
Geographical Distribution of Cybercrime
California, Texas, and Florida reported the highest numbers of incidents and financial losses. This geographical distribution highlights the widespread nature of cyber threats across the United States. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/fbi-internet-crime-loss-record-high-2024?utm_source=openai))
Underreporting of Cybercrime
The FBI acknowledges that many cybercrimes go unreported due to victims’ feelings of shame or fear. This suggests that the actual figures may be even higher, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and reporting. ([axios.com](https://www.axios.com/2025/04/23/fbi-internet-crime-loss-record-high-2024?utm_source=openai))
Conclusion
The 2024 IC3 report highlights the escalating threat of cybercrime and its profound financial impact. As cybercriminals continue to refine their tactics, it is imperative for individuals and organizations to adopt comprehensive cybersecurity measures and remain vigilant against emerging threats.
