The Numbers Don’t Lie: Every minute, thousands of people lose money, data, or even their identity—all without leaving their homes. The enemy no longer wears a ski mask or breaks down doors; instead, it slips in through a notification, an innocent-looking email, or a weak password. Cybercrime has stopped being a Hollywood plotline and become a silent, everyday threat—often underestimated.
In 2024, the FBI reported an alarming record: cybercriminals managed to steal over $16.6 billion, a 33% increase compared to the previous year. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3)’s annual report revealed 859,532 complaints, with more than 256,000 resulting in actual financial losses. The average loss per victim: $19,372.
But the most heartbreaking part is the impact on the most vulnerable: Americans over the age of 60 were hit especially hard, with more than 147,000 reports and losses exceeding $4.8 billion.
Records We Wish We Didn't Break: The Relentless Rise of Cybercrime, According to the FBI
"In 2024, we broke a new record—but not the kind we wanted," said B. Chad Yarbrough, FBI Deputy Assistant Director for Criminal and Cyber Operations. "Losses totaled $16.6 billion last year alone. Most of it came from fraud, and ransomware continues to be one of the most serious threats, especially to critical infrastructure. In fact, complaints related to these attacks increased by 9% compared to 2023."
Yarbrough also highlighted how much the landscape has changed since the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) was created: "At the beginning, we were getting around 2,000 complaints a month. Now, we receive more than 2,000 every single day. Since we started, we've surpassed 9 million reports of malicious activity."
In just the past five years, the IC3 has processed around 4.2 million complaints, linked to losses totaling more than $50.5 billion. That’s an average of 836,000 reports per year—and countless victims who probably never imagined they'd be part of that statistic.
Trends Since 2020 (FBI IC3)
All the figures in the IC3 report are based solely on cases that were reported or came to the attention of authorities. In other words, we’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg. Countless incidents go unreported—whether out of shame, lack of awareness, or because the victim simply never realizes they were targeted.
When it comes to ransomware attacks, for instance, the report only accounts for the ransom payments that were actually reported. And that’s just a fraction of the true cost. Businesses also suffer from lost time, reduced productivity, damaged equipment, compromised files, and huge expenses for external recovery services—but none of that is reflected in the numbers. In fact, the report itself makes this clear:
“These figures do not include losses due to time, wages, files, or equipment, or any costs related to remediation services acquired by victim companies.”
To make matters worse, many organizations don’t even disclose how much they lost, which further skews the data and makes the situation appear less severe than it really is.
And as if that weren’t enough, the IC3 also issued a warning: scammers are now impersonating IC3 agents, contacting victims under the pretense of helping them recover lost money—when in fact, they’re trying to scam them again. A double blow.
Read more: The Pace of Cyberattacks: 1 Every 14 Seconds, a New Record
Conclusion
Cybercrime is out of control. In 2024, record-breaking numbers were reached, with millions of individuals and businesses affected in the United States alone. And if we look beyond U.S. borders, the picture doesn't get any better: mass attacks on critical infrastructure, data breaches in companies of all sizes, and digital scams that evolve by the day. Everything points to the same reality—this isn't going to stop anytime soon.
That’s why now more than ever, we need to take cybersecurity seriously. It’s not just about installing antivirus software or changing your password every now and then. It’s about building a secure digital culture, where every individual (and every business) understands that online protection is just as important as locking your front door.
Businesses, in particular, bear a massive responsibility. Not just because of the millions they might lose in an attack, but because of their customers’ trust, the value of their data, and the continuity of their operations. Investing in digital security, implementing continuous monitoring, training teams, and having clear protocols in place—these are no longer optional. They’re essential business practices.
And no, the fight against cybercrime isn’t just the job of the FBI or security agencies. It’s up to all of us. From learning how to spot a suspicious email to teaching younger generations how to protect their online identity. The good news? You don’t need to be a tech expert to make a difference—a bit of education, strong habits, and common sense can go a long way.
At TecnetOne, we understand just how critical this is. That’s why we offer cybersecurity solutions tailored to the real needs of every organization—from 24/7 monitoring and vulnerability audits, to backup services, phishing simulations, and employee awareness programs. Our mission is to help you stay ahead of the threats, not just react once it’s too late. If you’re concerned about your company’s digital security, we’re here to help you take control.
