The FBI has disclosed an alarming rise in cryptocurrency fraud in 2023, with losses amounting to $5.6 billion. The agency compiled a ranking of countries based on the extent of financial damage and the number of complaints, emphasizing the increasing complexity of these fraudulent activities.
FBI 2023 Crypto Report
Before cryptocurrencies emerged, financial fraud was already prevalent. The FBI’s latest report, however, underscores a significant escalation in the sophistication and severity of these scams targeting cryptocurrency investors. FBI Director Christopher Wray emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents to the Internet Crime Complaint Center, even if no financial loss occurs, as it helps track new attack methods.
The report also includes several precautionary measures to avoid victimization, such as being wary of rushed promises, verifying the authenticity of contacts, and steering clear of investment advice from unfamiliar individuals.
Which Countries Are Most Affected?
Data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center shows U.S. citizens leading with 57,762 complaints and a staggering $4.809 billion in reported losses in 2023. Canada ranks second, while the Cayman Islands likely see significant losses due to companies targeting U.S. citizens. Turkey also reported 303 fraud complaints to the IC3.
Key Conclusions
From the detailed data provided in the FBI’s report, several critical insights can be drawn:
- Technical support scams constitute 46% of the crypto crime rate.
- Investment fraud leads in terms of total financial losses.
- SIM Swap attacks resulted in $30 million in losses.
- An overall significant year-on-year increase in both complaints and losses.
The report concludes with graphical representations showing the scale of complaints and losses, highlighting the dramatic year-over-year increase. To explore the full report, visit the FBI’s official website.