Older adults lost about USD $ 3 billion in crypto scams for 2024, reveals FBI

According to him FBI, People over 60 are the main victims among the large number of crypto scams documented by the agency throughout the last year.

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• In 2024, the age group of over 60 years lost USD $ 2,840 million in fraud with cryptocurrencies.
• Scams with crypto investments caused total losses for USD $ 5.8 billion last year.
• The total number of complaints related to crypto reached 149,686, an annual increase of 66%.

The cyber crimes division of FBI, known as Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)has revealed data of interest in its annual report corresponding to 2024: People over 60 were the main victims of scams related to cryptocurrencies in the United States.

According to a report published today, reviewed by The block, he IC3 He received a total of 33,369 complaints of people within that age group, counting losses for USD $ 2,840 million during the year. This population segment was followed by the group of 40 to 49 years, which registered losses for USD $ 1,460 million.

The report of IC3 indicates that In 2024, 149,686 incidents related to cryptocurrencies were reported, representing a 66% increase compared to the previous year. In total, the losses associated with this type of crimes amounted to USD $ 9.3 billion.

Within this figure, investment scams with cryptocurrencies represented the highest volume, with a total of USD $ 5.8 billion, which marks a 47% growth compared to 2023. Likewise, losses for USD $ 247 million related to scams related to automatic cryptocurrency cashiers were recorded.

In general terms, computer crimes reported to IC3 They reached 859,532 cases in 2024, with combined losses of USD $ 16.6 billion. This represents an interannual increase of 33%. The average case was USD $ 19,372. The most affected states were California, Texas and Florida.

The role of IC3 and the response of FBI

He IC3 It was established 25 years ago and works as the main channel of complaints for cyber crimes in the United States. Its success, according to the director of the FBI, Kash Patel depends directly on citizen collaboration.

“The IC3 is as effective as the reports it receives. That is why it is imperative that the public immediately reports any cybercrust criminal activity suspicious to the FBI,” Patel said in the official statement.

In response to the increase in Crypto fraud, the agency issued several warnings throughout 2024. In September, it warned of attacks coordinated by North Korean hackers, who would be heading aggressively towards employees of web companies3. These attacks would include advanced social engineering techniques to steal funds illegally.

In April 2024, the FBI He also advised citizens to avoid the use of unregistered cryptocurrency transmission platforms. The agency urged to verify if a company has due license through government tools before making transactions.

These warnings seek to stop the growing risks associated with the crypto ecosystem, especially when many of the victims – like older adults – are not completely familiar with digital risks or with the technical complexity of these platforms.

The rise of cryptocurrencies as investment vehicles has been accompanied by an increasingly sophisticated fraud ecosystem. From promises of extraordinary yields to false websites that simulate legitimate platforms, the methods used by criminals have quickly evolved.

This environment represents a great challenge for regulators, forces of order and for the users themselves, who must adapt to a digital economy in constant transformation. Financial and digital education, especially for the most vulnerable populations, is presented as an urgent need in 2025.

Written article with the help of an AI content editor, edited by Angel Di Matteo / Diariobitcoin

Original image of Diariobitcoin, created with artificial intelligence, for free use, licensed under public domain.

WARNING: Diariobitcoin offers informative and educational content on various topics, including cryptocurrencies, AI, technology and regulations. We do not provide financial advice. Cryptactive investments are high risk and may not be adequate for all. Investigate, consult an expert and verify the applicable legislation before investing. I could lose all its capital.

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