Ransomware Complaints Surge as Cybercrime Losses Hit $16.6 Billion in the US, FBI Warns
Cybercriminals continue to tighten their grip on America’s critical infrastructure, and the latest data from the FBI paints a troubling picture for 2024. In a stark reminder of the growing digital threat landscape, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has reported a 9% rise in ransomware complaints targeting U.S. infrastructure — part of a broader explosion in cyber-enabled fraud that cost victims a record $16.6 billion last year.
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Ransomware: Still the Dominant Threat to Critical Infrastructure
Despite international efforts to disrupt ransomware networks in 2023, this brand of cyberattack remained the top threat to critical infrastructure sectors in 2024. Ransomware attacks — which involve cybercriminals encrypting a target’s data and demanding payment for its release — made up nearly half of all ransomware-related complaints received by the IC3, according to the FBI.
The hardest-hit sectors read like a who’s who of national lifelines:
- Critical Manufacturing
- Healthcare and Public Health
- Government Facilities
- Financial Services
- Information Technology
These are not just tech issues — they are national security concerns. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), disruption of these sectors could have a “debilitating effect” on the health and safety of the American public.
The FBI expressed concern over the persistence of ransomware despite several high-profile takedowns of ransomware gangs and dark web forums last year. One particularly aggressive ransomware variant, Medusa, was linked to attacks on over 300 victims across multiple sectors between June 2021 and February 2025. In March, the FBI and CISA jointly issued an advisory warning organizations of the ongoing threat from Medusa, urging heightened vigilance.
Cybercrime Losses Soar 33%, Driven by Cryptocurrency Scams
Beyond ransomware, the broader picture is even more alarming. The IC3 recorded $16.6 billion in losses due to cybercrime in 2024 — a 33% spike compared to 2023.
A significant chunk of that loss came from cryptocurrency-related fraud, which saw an explosive 66% increase, totaling at least $9.3 billion. These scams spanned a wide array of schemes including:
- Fake investment platforms
- Extortion and sextortion scams
- Crypto ATM fraud
What’s especially chilling is how these frauds fly under the radar. The FBI reported notifying over 5,400 victims who were unaware they had even been targeted by cryptocurrency scams.
Older Americans Hit Hardest
While no demographic is safe, older adults (60+) are disproportionately affected. In 2024 alone, they lost more than $4.8 billion across over 147,000 complaints — making them the most financially impacted age group tracked by the FBI.
The FBI’s Cynthia Kaiser emphasized that these numbers likely underrepresent the true scale of the damage, as many victims never report these crimes due to shame, fear, or simply not knowing where to turn.
Takeaways and Warnings for 2025
The data from the FBI’s Internet Crime Report is more than just a statistic sheet — it’s a wake-up call. As ransomware continues to plague America’s critical infrastructure and cybercriminals shift toward increasingly sophisticated scams, the need for vigilance has never been greater.
Key takeaways for businesses and individuals:
- Update and back up systems regularly to minimize ransomware impact.
- Be cautious with investment opportunities, especially those involving cryptocurrency.
- Educate older adults about common online scams.
- Report suspicious activity to the IC3 (www.ic3.gov) as early as possible.
The digital battlefield is expanding. And as cybercriminals sharpen their tactics, the cost of complacency may be higher than ever.