Crypto Scams Keep Rising Across the U.S.
Americans lost a record $11.36 billion to cryptocurrency-related fraud in 2025, according to the FBI’s latest Internet Crime Complaint Center report. That figure marks a 22% jump from 2024 and shows that crypto scams remain a major threat, even as digital assets become more common.
The FBI said it received 181,565 crypto-related complaints in 2025, up 21% from the year before. This sharp increase suggests that scammers still find success by using digital assets to move money quickly and quietly. Even with stronger enforcement and more public awareness, many consumers continue to fall into these traps.
Investment Fraud Leads the Damage
Crypto investment scams caused the largest share of losses again in 2025. The FBI said these schemes generated 61,559 complaints and $7.23 billion in losses. That total was 25% higher than in 2024.
The report also showed how severe the damage became for many victims:
- The average reported loss reached $62,604
- 18,589 people said they lost more than $100,000
- Americans age 60 and older filed 44,555 crypto-related complaints
- Older victims lost nearly $2.76 billion in crypto investment scams alone
Furthermore, losses linked to cryptocurrency ATM and kiosk scams climbed 58% year over year to $389 million. These machines often look harmless, but scammers use them to pressure victims into sending money fast.
Authorities Step Up Their Response
Federal officials have connected many of the worst “pig butchering” scams to organized crime groups operating in Southeast Asia. In response, the Justice Department launched a Scam Center Strike Force in 2025. The effort includes support from the FBI, Secret Service, and other agencies.
So far, the initiative has helped authorities seize domains and recover assets tied to alleged scam operations. However, the FBI’s latest numbers show that fraudsters still move faster than prevention efforts in many cases.
As crypto adoption grows, pressure will likely increase on regulators, exchanges, and law enforcement to improve anti-fraud protections. The message is simple: crypto may be innovative, but scammers are adapting just as quickly.
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