The FBI says cyber-enabled fraud using phishing/spoofing, extortion, and investment schemes drove hundreds of thousands of complaints and tens of billions in losses. It highlights a focus on crypto and AI-driven scam tactics and directs victims to report via IC3.

The FBI warned that cyber-enabled fraud—especially cryptocurrency and AI-driven investment scams—has produced massive real-world harm in the United States. According to the agency, these schemes commonly use phishing and spoofing to trick victims into sharing credentials or sending money, then escalate into extortion or other forms of coercion. The FBI also cited investment schemes that leverage online access, impersonation, and engineered urgency to pressure people into depositing funds. It emphasized that fraud perpetrators increasingly blend technical lures with persuasive messaging, including claims connected to AI and crypto opportunities. The FBI’s guidance focuses on speed and documentation: when someone realizes they may have been targeted, they should preserve communications, capture transaction details, and report the incident. The FBI specifically points victims to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) to ensure the case is routed for investigation and analytics tied to broader cybercrime patterns. The alert serves as a high-level warning about evolving tactics and as an actionable reminder for U.S. residents to report quickly rather than waiting.