The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has released its 2024 Internet Crime Report, highlighting a significant rise in internet-based crimes.
The report reveals that 859,532 complaints were filed by victims, resulting in reported losses surpassing $16 billion—a staggering 33% increase from 2023 figures.
Phishing, spoofing, extortion, and personal data breaches emerged as the top three cyber crimes in 2024, with cryptocurrency-related investment fraud accounting for the largest share of financial losses, amounting to over $6.5 billion.
California, Texas, and Florida led the nation in reporting cyber crime complaints, with people aged 60 and above bearing the heaviest financial toll—suffering nearly $5 billion in losses. This demographic also submitted the most complaints.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized the importance of reporting cyber crimes promptly, stating, “Reporting is one of the first and most important steps in fighting crime so law enforcement can use this information to combat a variety of frauds and scams.”
The IC3, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, relies heavily on public input to track and analyze internet crime trends, thereby aiding law enforcement and fostering industry collaboration.
Since its inception in 2000, the IC3 has processed nine million complaints and continues to urge victims of cyber-enabled crimes, regardless of the financial impact, to file reports through its website. The center’s comprehensive data collection enables the FBI to develop better strategies for combating internet-facilitated crime.
In addition to submitting complaints, the FBI recommends that businesses and individuals who fall victim to cyber crimes notify their financial institutions immediately and report the incident to www.ic3.gov.
They are also encouraged to contact local law enforcement and the nearest FBI field office to aid in ongoing investigations.
The IC3’s annual report serves as a crucial tool for improving public awareness and strengthening law enforcement’s ability to respond to the growing threat of cyber crime.
