Total losses from cybercrime in the United States reached $20.9 billion last year. According to the data of the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, $11 billion of this amount consisted of cryptocurrency-related frauds. Thus, cases related to crypto assets accounted for more than half of the total cybercrime losses in the country.
Crypto-related losses stand out
In the report, it was seen that the highest loss was collected under the heading of investment fraud with 10.7 billion dollars. It was reported that users’ assets were targeted through fake platforms, liquidity pool traps and mechanisms that imitate decentralized finance applications. IC3, mentioned in the news, is known as the official unit of the FBI that collects tips regarding crimes committed over the internet and publishes annual trends.
IC3 data showed that cryptocurrency-related frauds accounted for more than half of the total cybercrime losses in the United States, reaching $11 billion in losses.
The fact that blockchain transactions can be conducted under pseudonyms can make tracking the proceeds of crime more complex than in traditional financial systems. This creates room for action, especially for structures that target inexperienced users. The text also stated that criminals use multiple methods simultaneously and fraud schemes are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
| Pen | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total cybercrime loss | $20.9 billion |
| Crypto related loss | 11 billion dollars |
| Investment fraud loss | $10.7 billion |
| Number of illegal wallets frozen | more than 3,000 |
| Protected amount | more than 500 million dollars |
The elderly population is more vulnerable
Nearly one-third of total losses last year were concentrated in older Americans, the data showed. It was stated that this group is at greater risk, especially due to investment traps, frauds carried out under the guise of romantic relationships, and fake contacts established under the name of technical support. It has been noted that in some cases, retirement savings can melt away within days.
It was reported that the highest cryptocurrency losses on a state basis were seen in California, Texas and Florida. This picture indicates that the risk has become more visible in regions with high population density and high level of use of digital financial tools.
FBI plans to expand operations
In his statement on social media, FBI Director Kash Patel gave a harsh message against crypto fraudsters trying to gain illegal income. Patel warned that the institution would increase the pressure in this area.
The agency’s latest statement revealed that it plans to further expand asset recovery and tracking operations.
It has been reported that the FBI has so far frozen more than 3,000 illegal cryptocurrency wallets, contributing to the protection of over $500 million in assets. The latest statement indicated that the institution will continue its tracing and asset recovery efforts on a larger scale in the coming period.
