The Americans declared a record of $ 9.3 billion in losses against crimes related to cryptocurrencies in 2024, according to a report from the Center for Crime Complaints on the Internet of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (IC3). The losses represent a jump of 66% compared to 2023 and highlight the growing use of digital assets in online fraud diets.
The IC3 annual report indicates nearly 150,000 complaints related to the crypto, investment fraud paving the way. In these programs, crooks often claim to offer high yields on cryptocurrency false platforms, cajolate victims to transfer funds which are then to be siphoned.
The FBI has also highlighted the “pork butcher” scams, where fraudsters establish online relationships before pushing false cryptographic investments. Crypto investment systems led to $ 5.8 billion in losses, while the second larger category per losses at $ 1.1 billion was data violations.
Elderly Americans have brought the weight of damage. People over 60s said $ 2.8 billion in losses by crypto -related crimes – more than any other age group – against $ 1.65 billion in 2023 and $ 1.08 billion in 2022.
The second age group affected, the 40 to 49 year olds, underwent $ 1.4 billion in losses, while those under the age of 40 have suffered from around $ 1.37 billion.
More than 8,000 of complaints came from people over the age of 60 and linked to false investment opportunities, while others have been victims of technological fraud and identity, often involving automatic distributors of cryptocurrency tickets.
Operation Level Up, a government initiative launched in January 2024, identified thousands of victims of investment cryptography fraud and prevented around $ 285 million in additional losses, the report. He referred 42 victims for a suicide intervention.
