How much did Americans lose to crypto scams in 2025?

Americans lost more than $11 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2025, according to the FBI. This came from 181,565 reported complaints, making crypto one of the most costly scam categories.

What types of crypto scams caused the most losses?

Investment scams were the biggest driver of losses, with victims sending funds in crypto more than any other payment method. These scams often promise high returns but are designed to steal funds.

Why are crypto scams so costly compared to other scams?

Crypto transactions are fast, irreversible and often pseudonymous, making recovery difficult. This makes crypto a preferred payment method for scammers compared to cash or bank transfers.

How many cybercrime complaints did the FBI receive overall?

The FBI received more than one million cybercrime complaints in 2025. Total reported losses across all cyber-enabled crimes reached about $21 million, though crypto accounted for a large share.

Are minors being targeted in crypto scams?

Yes, the FBI reported that around 10% of complaints involving minors aged 17 and under were linked to crypto. These cases resulted in more than $5 million in losses, showing growing exposure among younger users.

What is the FBI’s Operation Level Up initiative?

Operation Level Up is an FBI effort launched in 2024 to identify and warn people who may be falling victim to crypto investment scams. Despite this, scam losses continued to rise in 2025.

How are scammers using crypto to impersonate authorities?

Scammers have used fake tokens, including on the Tron blockchain, to impersonate the FBI. Victims are tricked into entering personal information under the false claim their wallet is under investigation.

Is this trend bullish or bearish for the crypto market?

This is generally negative for sentiment. Rising scam losses can reduce trust among retail users and increase pressure for stricter regulation.

Crypto scams cost Americans $11B in 2025

Written by Heidi Cuthbert Published Apr. 8 2026Last Updated Apr. 8 2026

Americans lost more than $11 billion to cryptocurrency-related scams in 2025, according to a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

The FBI said it received 181,565 crypto-related complaints, with investment scams accounting for the largest share of losses compared with other payment methods.

“Among the costliest categories,”

The bureau said crypto and AI-related scams drove significant financial damage across the US in 2025.

The report also found that minors were increasingly targeted, with around 10% of cybercrime complaints involving individuals aged 17 and under linked to crypto, resulting in more than $5 million in losses.

Overall, the FBI received more than one million cybercrime complaints in 2025, with total reported losses reaching about $21 million across all categories.

The data comes despite the FBI’s Operation Level Up initiative, which aimed to identify and warn victims of crypto investment scams.

Separately, scammers were reported to have impersonated government officials and even used fake tokens on the Tron blockchain to trick users into revealing personal information.