The FBI reported that Americans lost more than 16 billion to cybercrime in 2024. This is a 33% rise over 2023.
According to the FBI, the average loss reported per person was $19,372.
The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has been operating for 25 years. In the 2024 report, it was stated that IC3 had received 2,000 complaints per month in its early years. Over the last five years, IC3 averaged over 2,000 complaints per day.
Fraud is the most common form of internet crime. IC3 identified ransomware to be the most prevalent threat. Ransomware is malicious computer software that blocks a person or business from accessing files. The perpetrators then demand money in order to unlock them.
LockBit is a group that has been responsible for some of the largest ransomware attacks. IC3 claimed to have dealt a severe blow to LockBit.
ICE stated, “Since 2022, we’ve provided thousands of decryption keys to victims of ransomware. This has saved them over $800,000,000 in payments.”
The FBI is asking anyone who believes they have been targeted by an internet criminal to contact their local FBI office. This will help them with the investigation and also make them more aware of how widespread the threat of cybercrime has become in America.
