US cybercrime losses pass $20B for first time as AI boosts online fraud
Summary
Criminals used AI and bots to scale classic scams in 2025, helping push reported US cybercrime losses to a record $20.87 billion, the FBI’s IC3 report says. Complaints topped one million — up 17% — with phishing the most-reported incident and investment scams causing the largest financial losses. The IC3 included, for the first time, a special section on AI: 22,364 complaints referenced AI, accounting for $893m in losses, though the FBI warns that figure may be understated because victims often don’t know AI was used.
Key Points
- 2025 reported losses reached $20.87 billion — the first time totals surpassed $20 billion.
- Complaints exceeded one million, a 17% increase over 2024.
- Phishing led reports (191,561), while investment scams caused the biggest losses ($8.6 billion).
- Cyber-enabled fraud made up 45% of complaints but 85% of financial losses.
- IC3 logged 22,364 AI-related reports with $893 million attributed; actual AI involvement is likely higher.
- AI is being used in BEC, romance/confidence scams, employment lures and investment cons via fake profiles, voice clones and doctored videos.
- Government impersonation scams surged 128% from 2023 to 2025 (14,190 → 32,424 reports).
Context and relevance
This annual IC3 report shows a shift: most damage comes from using the internet to amplify traditional fraud rather than purely technical hacking. AI and automation (bots) are increasing criminals’ reach and profitability, making conventional defences less effective. For security teams, legal teams and business leaders, the numbers underline the need to update fraud prevention, employee training and incident response plans to address AI-enhanced social engineering and impersonation.
Author style
Punchy: this is a big wake‑up call. The figures are headline‑worthy and the AI angle means you should read the details if you handle risk, fraud or security — it’s not just tech people who need to care.
Why should I read this
Quick version: crooks are using bots and AI to make old scams work far better. If you want the snapshot of where losses came from, which scams are most costly, and why AI matters — this saves you time and gives the bits you need to act.