In 2025, Cybercrime Losses in the U.S. to Reach $21 Billion—Cryptocurrency Scams Account for Over Half

The Growing Threat of Cybercrime in the U.S., With Losses Reaching $21 Billion

In 2025, losses from online fraud in the U.S. are expected to reach $21 billion (approximately ¥2.8 trillion), according to a report released by the FBI. This staggering figure highlights the fact that over one million Americans have fallen victim to cybercrime, with cryptocurrency-related scams accounting for more than half of the total losses—a particularly alarming trend.

Losses from cryptocurrency scams alone are projected to reach $11 billion (approximately ¥1.47 trillion), making them the largest single contributor to overall fraud. Investment scams follow closely behind, accounting for $8.6 billion (approximately ¥1.15 trillion). Meanwhile, losses from attacks leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technology are estimated at $893 million (approximately ¥120 billion). While this figure is smaller compared to cryptocurrency and investment scams, the rapid increase in AI-related attacks is a growing concern.

The Rise of Cryptocurrency Scams

As cryptocurrency adoption continues to expand, so too has the misuse of its anonymity and ease of cross-border transactions by scammers. Notably, there has been a surge in cases where scammers pose as offering lucrative investment opportunities, using fake wallets or platforms to steal funds.

Additionally, the high volatility of the cryptocurrency market has further exacerbated the issue. While investors are drawn by the prospect of making quick, large profits, scammers exploit this mindset with sophisticated schemes.

New Threats Posed by AI

Advancements in AI technology have given rise to new threats in the realm of cybersecurity. For instance, AI is being used to craft highly convincing phishing emails and to create fake audio and video content for scams using deepfake technology. Moreover, attackers are leveraging AI to quickly identify vulnerabilities in networks, making their attacks increasingly sophisticated.

Countermeasures and Future Outlook

Experts are emphasizing the necessity for individuals and businesses to implement robust security measures as the use of cryptocurrencies and AI technology becomes more widespread. Specific recommendations include choosing trusted trading platforms, strengthening wallet security, and developing new technologies to detect AI-enabled attacks.

Governments and international organizations are also working to curb these threats by tightening regulations on cryptocurrency transactions and imposing stricter penalties for cybercrime. Global cooperation will be especially critical in combating cross-border crimes.

Conclusion

As cybercrime continues to evolve, the scale of losses is growing rapidly, with new fraud methods leveraging cryptocurrencies and AI technologies emerging. It is imperative for individuals and businesses to strengthen their security measures while governments and international organizations work together to combat these crimes. Addressing this challenge will require a careful balance between technological innovation and ethical considerations, and it is expected that many hurdles will need to be overcome in the future.