California residents lost more than $2.5 billion to online crime in 2024—the highest reported total of any state—according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) Annual Report, released in April 2025. The report tallied more than 859,000 complaints nationwide, with total reported losses exceeding $16 billion, a staggering 33% increase from 2023.
The Golden State ranked #1 in both total victim complaints and financial losses, driven largely by scams targeting older residents. Californians aged 60 and over lost more than $800 million, the most of any age group in any state.
Leading Threats: Cryptocurrency Fraud, Extortion, and Phishing
The most common cybercrimes affecting Californians in 2024 were:
- Cryptocurrency investment scams
- Online extortion schemes
- Phishing and spoofing attacks
These scams often involve impersonation, manipulation, or the promise of high returns to extract money, personal data, or account credentials from unsuspecting users.
FBI Urges Vigilance, Especially Among Seniors
“This report is a sobering reminder that we in California, especially our seniors, remain prime targets for scammers who will jump at every opportunity to defraud potential victims,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office, in an official statement accompanying the report.
Davis encouraged residents to practice “good cyber hygiene”—ranging from using strong, unique passwords to staying skeptical of unsolicited emails or investment pitches—and to report all suspected incidents promptly.
How the IC3 Works
Established in 2000, the IC3 serves as the FBI’s central hub for tracking cyber-enabled crime. It has processed more than 9 million complaints to date. Each year’s report is based entirely on public submissions, making timely and accurate reporting essential for tracking criminal trends.
The IC3 uses this data to:
- Forecast emerging cybercrime tactics
- Support law enforcement investigations
- Alert the public and industry leaders to current threats
What To Do If You’re Targeted
The FBI recommends victims of online scams:
- Report incidents directly at www.ic3.gov
- Notify all financial institutions involved
- Contact local police and the nearest FBI field office
Victims can also consult alerts and updates posted regularly at ic3.gov to stay informed about evolving threats.
Learn More
The FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report is available in full at:
📄 https://www.ic3.gov/AnnualReport/Reports/2024_IC3Report.pdf
For further context on the history of the IC3, listen to the Bureau’s podcast episode: “Inside the FBI: IC3 Turns 20.”
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