2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
1
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
2
CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 3
THE IC3 ........................................................................................................................................ 3
THE IC3’s ROLE IN COMBATTING CYBER CRIME .......................................................................... 5
IC3 CORE FUNCTIONS .................................................................................................................. 6
IC3 COMPLAINT STATISTICS ............................................................................................................ 7
LAST FIVE YEARS .......................................................................................................................... 7
TOP FIVE CRIME TYPE COMPARISON ........................................................................................... 8
THE IC3 RECOVERY ASSET TEAM (RAT) .................................................................................... 9
RAT SUCCESSES ...................................................................................................................... 10
2023 OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................................ 11
BUSINESS EMAIL COMPROMISE (BEC) ....................................................................................... 11
INVESTMENT .............................................................................................................................. 12
RANSOMWARE .......................................................................................................................... 13
TECH/CUSTOMER SUPPORT AND GOVERNMENT IMPERSONATION ......................................... 15
IC3 BY THE NUMBERS .................................................................................................................... 16
2023 - COMPLAINANTS BY AGE GROUP ....................................................................................... 17
2023 - TOP 20 INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINT COUNTRIES ............................................................ 18
2023 - TOP 10 STATES BY NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS .................................................................. 19
2023 - TOP 10 STATES BY LOSS (IN MILLIONS) ............................................................................. 19
2023 CRIME TYPES ........................................................................................................................ 20
2023 CRIME TYPES continued ........................................................................................................ 21
LAST-THREE-YEAR COMPLAINT COUNT COMPARISON ................................................................. 22
LAST-THREE-YEAR COMPLAINT LOSS COMPARISON ..................................................................... 23
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS ........................................................................................................... 24
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued .......................................................................................... 25
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued .......................................................................................... 26
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued .......................................................................................... 27
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued .......................................................................................... 28
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued .......................................................................................... 29
APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS ............................................................................................................. 30
APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT IC3 DATA ........................................................ 33
APPENDIX C: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS PUBLISHED ..................................................... 34
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
3
IN TROD UCT ION
Dear Reader,
Today’s cyber landscape is threatened by a multitude of malicious actors who have the tools to conduct large-scale fraud
schemes, hold our money and data for ransom, and endanger our national security. Profit-driven cybercriminals and
nation-state adversaries alike have the capability to paralyze entire school systems, police departments, healthcare facilities,
and individual private sector entities. The FBI continues to combat this evolving cyber threat. Our strategy focuses on
building strong partnerships with the private sector; removing threats from US networks; pulling back the cloak of anonymity
many of these actors hide behind; and hitting cybercriminals where it hurts: their wallets, including their virtual wallets.
Critical to the FBI’s efforts is the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). IC3 gives the public a direct way to report cybercrime
to the FBI and enables us to collect data, advance investigations, and identify changes in the threat landscape. In 2023, IC3
received a record number of complaints from the American public: 880,418 complaints were registered, with potential
losses exceeding $12.5 billion. This is a nearly 10% increase in complaints received, and it represents a 22% increase in losses
suffered, compared to 2022. As impressive as these figures appear, we know they are conservative regarding cybercrime in
2023. Consider that when the FBI recently infiltrated the Hive ransomware group’s infrastructure, we found that only about
20% of Hive’s victims reported to law enforcement. More reporting from victims would mean superior insight for the FBI.
The past year, investment fraud was once again the costliest type of crime tracked by IC3. Losses to investment scams rose
from $3.31 billion in 2022 to $4.57 billion in 2023a 38% increase. The second-costliest type of crime was business e-mail
compromise (BEC), with 21,489 complaints amounting to $2.9 billion in reported losses. Tech support scams, meanwhile,
were the third-costliest type of crime tracked by IC3. Notably, different age groups tended to be impacted by different
crimes. Victims 30 to 49 years old were the most likely group to report losses from investment fraud, while the elderly
accounted for well over half of losses to tech support scams.
In 2023, ransomware incidents continued to be impactful and costly. After a brief downturn in 2022, ransomware incidents
were again on the rise with over 2,825 complaints. This represents an increase of 18% from 2022. Reported losses rose 74%,
from $34.3 million to $59.6 million. Cybercriminals continue to adjust their tactics, and the FBI has observed emerging
ransomware trends, such as the deployment of multiple ransomware variants against the same victim and the use of
data-destruction tactics to increase pressure on victims to negotiate.
Last year also saw notable achievements for law enforcement. The FBI’s commitment to assisting cyber victims and fostering
partnerships allowed for the continued success of IC3’s Recovery Asset Team (RAT). Established in 2018, RAT streamlines
communications with financial institutions and FBI field offices to facilitate the freezing of funds for victims. In 2023, IC3’s
RAT initiated the Financial Fraud Kill Chain (FFKC) on 3,008 incidents, with potential losses of $758.05 million. A monetary
hold was placed on $538.39 million, representing a success rate of 71%.
As the cyber threat continues to evolve, the FBI remains appreciative of those who report cyber incidents to IC3. Information
reported to the FBI helps advance our investigations. Your reporting is critical for our efforts to pursue adversaries, share
intelligence with our partners, and protect your fellow citizens. Cybersecurity is the ultimate team sport, and we are in this
fight together. The FBI is committed to fostering greater security in a digitally connected world, and we are eager to work
with the American public to defeat cyber adversaries and bring criminals to justice.
Timothy Langan
Executive Assistant Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
4
TH E IC3
Today’s FBI is an intelligence-driven and threat focused national security organization with both intelligence
and law enforcement responsibilities. We are focused on protecting the American people from terrorism,
espionage, cyber-attacks, and major criminal threats which are increasingly emanating from our digitally
connected world. To do that, the FBI leverages the IC3 as a mechanism to gather intelligence on internet
crime so that we can provide the public and our many partners with information, services, support, training,
and leadership to stay ahead of the threat.
The IC3 was established in May 2000 to receive complaints crossing the spectrum of cyber matters, to
include online fraud in its many forms including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) matters, Computer
Intrusions (Hacking), Economic Espionage (Theft of Trade Secrets), Online Extortion, International Money
Laundering, Identity Theft, and a growing list of Internet-facilitated crimes. As of December 31, 2023, the
IC3 has received over eight million complaints. The IC3’s mission is to provide the public and our partners
with a reliable and convenient reporting mechanism to submit information concerning suspected cyber-
enabled criminal activity and to develop effective alliances with law enforcement and industry partners to
help those who report. Information is analyzed and disseminated for investigative and intelligence
purposes for law enforcement and public awareness.
The information submitted to the IC3 can be impactful in the individual complaints, but it is most impactful
in the aggregate. That is, when the individual complaints are combined with other data, it allows the FBI to
connect complaints, investigate reported crimes, track trends and threats, and, in some cases, even freeze
stolen funds. Just as importantly, the IC3 shares reports of crime throughout its vast network of FBI field
offices and law enforcement partners, strengthening our nation’s collective response both locally and
nationally.
To promote public awareness and as part of its prevention mission, the IC3 aggregates the submitted data
and produces an annual report on the trends impacting the public as well as routinely providing intelligence
reports about trends. The success of these efforts is directly related to the quality of the data submitted by
the public through the www.ic3.gov interface. Their efforts help the IC3, and the FBI better protect their
fellow citizens.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
5
TH E IC3 ’S ROLE IN COMBAT TING CYBER CRI ME
1
1
Accessibility description: Image lists the IC3’s primary functions including partnering with private sector and with
local, state, federal, and international agencies: hosting a reporting portal at www.ic3.gov; providing a central hub to
alert the public to threats; Perform Analysis, Complaint Referrals, and Asset Recovery; and hosting a remote access
database for all law enforcement via the FBI’s LEEP website.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
6
IC3 CORE FUN CTIONS
2
2
Accessibility description: Image contains icons with the core functions. Core functions - Collection, Analysis, Public
Awareness, and Referrals - are listed in individual blocks as components of an ongoing process.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
7
IC3 COMPLAINT STATISTICS
LAST FIVE YEARS
Over the last five years, the IC3 has received an average of 758,000 complaints per year. These complaints
address a wide array of Internet scams affecting individuals across the globe.
3
3
Accessibility description: Chart includes yearly and aggregate data for complaints and losses over the years 2019 to
2023. Over this time, the IC3 received a total of 3.79 million complaints, reporting a loss of $37.5 billion. * Please see
Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data.
$12.5 Billion
$10.3 Billion
$6.9 Billion
$4.2 Billion
$3.5 Billion
880,418
800,944
847,376
791,790
467,361
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Complaints and Losses over the Last Five Years*
Complaints Losses
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
8
TOP FIVE CRIME TYPE COMP AR I SON
4
4
Accessibility description: Chart includes a loss comparison for the top five reported crime types for the years of 2019
to 2023.
114,702
38,218
61,832
43,101
13,633
241,342
45,330
108,869
76,741
15,421
323,972
51,829
82,478
39,360
23,903
300,497
58,859
51,679
39,416
32,538
298,878
55,851
50,523
48,223
37,560
Phishing
Personal Data
Breach
Non-Payment/
Non-Delivery
Extortion
Tech Support
Top Five Crime Types Compared with the Previous Five Years
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
9
TH E IC3 RECOVERY A SSET TEA M (RAT)
The Internet Crime Complaint Center’s Recovery Asset Team (RAT) was established in February 2018 to
streamline communication with financial institutions and assist FBI field offices with the freezing of funds
for those who made transfers to domestic accounts under fraudulent pretenses.
RAT Process
5
The RAT functions as a liaison between law enforcement and financial institutions supporting statistical and
investigative analysis.
Goals of RAT-Financial Institution Partnership
Assist in the identification of potentially fraudulent accounts across the sector.
Remain at the forefront of emerging trends among financial fraud schemes.
Foster a symbiotic relationship in which information is appropriately shared.
Guidance for Complainants who send Wire Transfers
Contact the originating financial institution as soon as fraud is recognized to request a recall or
reversal and a Hold Harmless Letter or Letter of Indemnity.
File a detailed complaint with www.ic3.gov. It is vital the complaint contain all required data in
provided fields, including banking information.
Never make any payment changes without verifying the change with the intended recipient; verify
email addresses are accurate when checking email on a cell phone or other mobile device.
5
Accessibility description: Image shows the different stages of a complaint in the RAT process.
* If criteria are met, transaction details are forwarded to the identified point of contact at the recipient
bank to notify of fraudulent activity and request freezing of the account. Once response is received
from the recipient bank, RAT contacts the appropriate FBI field office(s).
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
10
RA T SUCCES SES
6
The IC3 RAT has proven to be a valuable resource for field offices and victims. The following are two
examples of the RAT’s successful contributions to investigative and recovery efforts:
New York
In March of 2023, the IC3 received a complaint filed by a critical infrastructure construction project entity
located in New York, New York area of a $50,000,000 loss due to a BEC incident. The RAT immediately sent
the Financial Fraud Kill Chain (FFKC) request to the recipient financial institution and was advised that
$44,936,460 was frozen in the account. Second-hop information was provided by the recipient financial
institution, and the RAT pursued the secondary wires to two additional recipient financial institutions. FFKC
responses from the second wires reported a frozen amount of an additional $1,008,526.
Connecticut
In March 2023, the IC3 received a complaint filed by an individual located in the Stamford, Connecticut
area of a BEC related to a real estate transaction. The individual was in the process of purchasing a home
and received a spoofed email from their supposed attorney instructing them to wire $426,000.00 to a
financial institution to finalize the closing. Two days after the wire was initiated, it was realized the
instructions came from a spoofed email. Upon notification, the IC3 RAT immediately initiated the FFKC
process to freeze the fraudulent recipient financial bank account. Collaboration with the domestic recipient
financial institution and the local police department confirmed $425,000.00 was frozen and returned to
the individual which enabled them to complete the real estate transaction.
6
Accessibility description: Image shows Success to Date to include 71% Success Rate; 3,008 Incidents; $758.05 Million
in Losses; and $538.39 Million Frozen.
$219.66
Million
$538.39
Million
Remaining
Losses
Frozen
Funds
Success to Date
71% Success Rate
3,008 Incidents
$758.05 Million Losses
$538.39 Million Frozen
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
11
2023 OVERVIEW
BU SINESS E MA IL COMPR OM ISE (BEC)
In 2023, the IC3 received 21,489 BEC complaints with adjusted losses over 2.9 billion. BEC
is a sophisticated scam targeting both businesses and individuals performing transfers of
funds. The scam is frequently carried out when a subject compromises legitimate business
email accounts through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques to conduct
unauthorized transfers of funds.
These BEC schemes historically involved compromised vendor emails, requests for W-2 information,
targeting of the real estate sector, and fraudulent requests for large amounts of gift cards. More recently,
the IC3 data suggests fraudsters are increasingly using custodial accounts held at financial institutions for
cryptocurrency exchanges or third-party payment processors, or having targeted individuals send funds
directly to these platforms where funds are quickly dispersed.
With these increased tactics of funds going directly to cryptocurrency platforms and third-party payment
processors or through a custodial account held at a financial institution, it emphasizes the importance of
leveraging two-factor or multi-factor authentication as an additional security layer. Procedures should be
put in place to verify payments and purchase requests outside of email communication and can include
direct phone calls but to a known verified number and not relying on information or phone numbers
included in the email communication. Other best practices include carefully examining the email address,
URL, and spelling used in any correspondence and not clicking on anything in an unsolicited email or text
message asking you to update or verify account information.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
12
IN VE STM ENT
In 2023, the losses reported due to Investment scams became the most of any crime
type tracked by the IC3. Investment fraud losses rose from $3.31 billion in 2022 to
$4.57 billion in 2023, a 38% increase. Within these numbers, investment fraud with
a reference to cryptocurrency rose from $2.57 billion in 2022 to $3.96 billion in 2023,
an increase of 53%. These scams are designed to entice those targeted with the
promise of lucrative returns on their investments.
7
,
8
IC3 publications in 2023 Related to Investment Fraud
The FBI Warns of a Spike in Cryptocurrency Investment Schemes
FBI Guidance for Cryptocurrency Scam Victims
Increase in Companies Falsely Claiming an Ability to Recover Funds Lost in Cryptocurrency
Investment Scams
Criminals Pose as Non-Fungible Token (NFT) Developers to Target Internet Users with an Interest
in NFT Acquisition
7
Accessibility description: 2023 Investment Complaints Reported to IC3 by Age Range.
8
Accessibility description: Chart shows Investment Fraud Losses Reported to the IC3 by Year for 2019 to 2023.
387
3,363
6,654
6,680
5,608
6,404
Under 20
20 - 29
30 - 39
40 - 49
50 - 59
Over 60
*2023 Investment Complaints
Reported to IC3 by Age Range
$0
$500,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,500,000,000
$2,000,000,000
$2,500,000,000
$3,000,000,000
$3,500,000,000
$4,000,000,000
$4,500,000,000
$5,000,000,000
2019 2020 2021 2022 2023
Investment Fraud Losses Reported to IC3
Crypto-Investment Investment
*Does not include complainants that did not provide an age range.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
13
RA NS OMWAR E
In 2023, the IC3 received 2,825 complaints identified as ransomware with adjusted losses
of more than $59.6 million. Ransomware is a type of malicious software, or malware, that
encrypts data on a computer, making it unusable. In addition to encrypting the network,
the cyber-criminal will often steal data off the system and hold that data hostage until the
ransom is paid. If the ransom is not paid, the entity’s data remains unavailable.
Ransomware and Critical Infrastructure Sectors
The IC3 received 1,193 complaints from organizations belonging to a critical infrastructure sector that were
affected by a ransomware attack. Of the 16 critical infrastructure sectors, IC3 reporting indicated 14 sectors
had at least 1 member that fell to a ransomware attack in 2023.
9
9
Accessibility description: Chart shows Infrastructure Sectors Affected by Ransomware. Healthcare and Public Health
was highest with 249; followed by Critical Manufacturing 218; Government Facilities 156; Information Technology
137; Financial Services 122; Commercial Facilities 87; Food and Agriculture 75; Transportation 44; Communications
32; Energy 30; Chemical 24; Emergency Services 9; Water and Wastewater Systems 8; Defense Industrial Base 2.
249
218
156
137
122
87
75
44
32
30
24
9
8
2
Healthcare and Public Health
Critical Manufacturing
Government Facilities
Information Technology
Financial Services
Commercial Facilities
Food and Agriculture
Transportation
Communications
Energy
Chemical
Emergency Services
Water and Wastewater Systems
Defense Industrial Base
Infrastructure Sectors Affected by Ransomware
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
14
The five top ransomware variants reported to the IC3 that affected a member of a critical infrastructure
sector were Lockbit, ALPHV/Blackcat, Akira, Royal, and Black Basta.
10
Incident reporting
Ransomware infections impact individual users and businesses regardless of size or industry by causing
service disruptions, financial loss, and in some cases, permanent loss of valuable data. While ransomware
infection statistics are often highlighted in the media and by computer security companies, it has been
challenging for the FBI to ascertain the true number of ransomware victims as many infections go
unreported to law enforcement. By reporting the incident, the FBI may be able to provide information on
decryption, recover stolen data, possibly seize/recover ransom payments, and gain insight on adversary
tactics. Ultimately, the information you provide will lead us to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The FBI does not encourage paying a ransom to criminal actors. Paying a ransom may embolden adversaries
to target additional organizations, encourage other criminal actors to engage in the distribution of
ransomware, and/or fund illicit activities. Paying the ransom also does not guarantee that an entity’s files
will be recovered. Regardless of whether you or your organization decided to pay the ransom, the FBI urges
you to report ransomware incidents to the IC3. Doing so provides investigators with the critical information
they need to track ransomware attackers, hold them accountable under U.S. law, and prevent future
attacks.
10
Accessibility description: Chart shows Top Ransomware Variants Affecting Critical Infrastructure 2023 Incidents.
Lockbit, ALPHV/Blackcat, Akira, Royal, and Black Basta.
175
100
95
63
41
LOCKBIT
ALPHV/BlackCat
Akira
Royal
Black Basta
Top Ransomware Variants Affecting Critical Infrastructure
2023
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
15
TECH /CUSTOMER SUP POR T AND GOVERNMENT
IMPERSONATI ON
11
Impersonation scams defraud thousands of individuals each year. Two categories of
fraud reported to IC3, Tech/Customer Support and Government Impersonation, are
responsible for over $1.3 billion in losses.
Call centers overwhelmingly
target older adults, with devastating effects. Almost half the complainants report to be Over 60 (40%), and
experience 58% of the losses (over $770 million).
Investigative Success Stories
FBI Knoxville Cyber Squad: The initial complaint received from IC3 spearheaded the investigation by
identifying the main subjects, Ankur Khemani, and the Sterks, a family based in Iowa. Khemani and his co-
conspirators duped thousands of victims into believing their computers were infected with malicious
malware. The resulting investigation grew from 50 initial IC3 reports to over 14,000 victims with over $4
million in losses. On September 28, 2023, Khemani was sentenced in Knoxville federal court to 75 months
for orchestrating a fraudulent computer technical support ring based in India. On December 20, 2023,
Marilyn Sterk, along with her daughter Teresa Sterk, and daughter-in-law Jennifer Sterk, were sentenced
in Knoxville federal court for their involvement in a tech support scheme. The Sterks opened over 30 bank
accounts to launder money obtained from victims of an India-based tech support scam. Marilyn was
sentenced to 30 months in prison, while her daughters received three years of probation.
FBI, Legat New Delhi, Washington Field: Since 2022, the DOJ, the FBI Legal Attaché New Delhi, the
Washington Field Office (WFO), and IC3 have collaborated with law enforcement in India, such as the
Central Bureau of Investigation in New Delhi and local Indian states, to combat cyber-enabled financial
crimes and transnational call center fraud. In 2023, Indian law enforcement accomplished multiple call
center raids, disruptions, seizures, and arrests of the individuals alleged to be involved in perpetrating these
crimes. The FBI enabled 26 arrests through 13 joint operations with Indian authorities. WFO conducted
hundreds of interviews and continues to support Indian law enforcement efforts and prosecution of call
centers perpetrating these frauds.
IC3 publications in 2023 Related to Tech/Customer Support and Government Impersonation
"Phantom Hacker" Scams Target Senior Citizens and Result in Victims Losing their Life Savings
Increase in Tech Support Scams Targeting Older Adults and Directing Victims to Send Cash through
Shipping Companies
Criminals Pose as Chinese Authorities to Target US-based Chinese Community (简体中文版) (繁體
中文版)
11
Accessibility description: Chart shows number of Government Impersonation and Tech and Customer Support
complainants and losses for 2023.
Complaints
Losses
Trend
Government Impersonation
14,190
$394,050,518
63%
Tech and Customer Support
37,560
$924,512,658
15%
TOTAL
51,750
$1,318,563,176
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
16
IC3 BY THE NUMBERS
12
$12.5 Billion
Losses in 2023
2,412
Average complaints received daily
758,000+
Average complaints received per year (last 5 years)
Over 8 Million
Complaints reported since inception
12
Accessibility description: Image depicts key statistics regarding complaints and losses. Total losses of $12.5 billion
were reported in 2023. The total number of complaints received since the year 2000 is over 8 million. The IC3 has
received approximately 758,000 complaints per year on average over the last five years, or more than 2,412
complaints per day.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
17
2023 - COMPLAINANTS BY AGE GROUP
13
13
Not all complaints include an associated age rangethose without this information are excluded from this table.
Please see Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data. Accessibility description: Chart shows number of
Complaints and Losses by Age Group. Under 20 18,174 Complaints, $40.7 Million losses; 20-29 62,410 Complaints,
$360.7 Million losses; 30-39 88,138 Complaints, $1.2 Billion losses; 40-49 84,052 Complaints, $1.5 Billion losses; 50-
59 65,924 Complaints, $1.7 Billion losses; 60+ 101,068 Complaints, $3.4 Billion losses.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
18
2023 - TOP 20 INTERNATIONAL COMPLAINT COUNTRIES
14
Compared to the United States
14
Accessibility description: the charts list the top 20 countries by number of total complaints as compared to the
United States and United Kingdom. The specific number of complaints for each country are listed in ascending order
to the right of the graph. Please see Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data.
6,601
3,405
1,779
1,614
1,576
1,571
1,510
1,305
1,290
1,158
946
675
664
611
603
573
551
548
545
0 1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000 7,000
Canada
India
Nigeria
France
Australia
Germany
Philippines
Brazil
South Africa
Mexico
Pakistan
Turkey
Spain
China
Italy
Netherlands
Japan
Poland
Colombia
521,652
288,355
27,525
0 100,000 200,000 300,000 400,000 500,000 600,000
United States
United Kingdom
Others from Above
< Ten Thousand
> Ten Thousand
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
19
2023 - TOP 10 STATES BY NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS
15
2023 - TOP 10 STATES BY LOSS (IN MILLIONS)
16
15
Accessibility description: Chart depicts the top 10 states based on number of complaints are labeled. These include
California, Texas, Florida, New York, Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Michigan, and Washington. Please see
Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data.
16
Accessibility description: Chart depicts the top 10 states based on reported losses are labeled. These include
California, Texas, Florida, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Arizona, Georgia, and Washington. Please see
Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data.
77,271
47,305
41,061
26,948
17,864
16,584
16,407
15,783
14,784
14,600
0 10,000 20,000 30,000 40,000 50,000 60,000 70,000 80,000 90,000
California
Texas
Florida
New York
Ohio
Arizona
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Michigan
Washington
$2,159.5
$1,021.6
$874.7
$750.0
$441.2
$360.3
$335.8
$324.4
$301.0
$288.7
$0 $500 $1,000 $1,500 $2,000 $2,500
California
Texas
Florida
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Illinois
Arizona
Georgia
Washington
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
20
2023 CRIME TYPES
By Complaint Count
Crime Type
Complaints
Crime Type
Complaints
Phishing/Spoofing
298,878
Other
8,808
Personal Data Breach
55,851
Advanced Fee
8,045
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
50,523
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
4,168
Extortion
48,223
Overpayment
4,144
Investment
39,570
Data Breach
3,727
Tech Support
37,560
Ransomware
2,825
BEC
21,489
Crimes Against Children
2,361
Identity Theft
19,778
Threats of Violence
1,697
Confidence/Romance
17,823
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
1,498
Employment
15,443
SIM Swap
1,075
Government Impersonation
14,190
Malware
659
Credit Card/Check Fraud
13,718
Botnet
540
Harassment/Stalking
9,587
Real Estate
9,521
Descriptors*
Cryptocurrency
43,653
Cryptocurrency Wallet
25,815
*These descriptors relate to the medium or tool used to facilitate the crime and are used by the IC3 for tracking
purposes only. They are available as descriptors only after another crime type has been selected. Please see Appendix
B for more information regarding IC3 data.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
21
2023 CRIME TYPES continued
By Complaint Loss
Crime Type
Loss
Crime Type
Loss
Investment
$4,570,275,683
Extortion
$74,821,835
BEC
$2,946,830,270
Employment
$70,234,079
Tech Support
$924,512,658
Ransomware*
$59,641,384
Personal Data Breach
$744,219,879
SIM Swap
$48,798,103
Confidence/Romance
$652,544,805
Overpayment
$27,955,195
Data Breach
$534,397,222
Botnet
$22,422,708
Government Impersonation
$394,050,518
Phishing/Spoofing
$18,728,550
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
$309,648,416
Threats of Violence
$13,531,178
Other
$240,053,059
Harassment/Stalking
$9,677,332
Credit Card/Check Fraud
$173,627,614
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
$7,555,329
Real Estate
$145,243,348
Crimes Against Children
$2,031,485
Advanced Fee
$134,516,577
Malware
$1,213,317
Identity Theft
$126,203,809
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
$94,502,836
Descriptors**
Cryptocurrency
$3,809,090,856
Cryptocurrency Wallet
$1,778,399,729
*Regarding ransomware adjusted losses, this number does not include estimates of lost business, time, wages,
files, or equipment, or any third-party remediation services acquired by an entity. In some cases, entities do not
report any loss amount to the FBI, thereby creating an artificially low overall ransomware loss rate. Lastly, the
number only represents what entities report to the FBI via the IC3 and does not account for the entity direct
reporting to FBI field offices/agents.
**These descriptors relate to the medium or tool used to facilitate the crime and are used by the IC3 for tracking
purposes only. They are available only after another crime type has been selected. Please see Appendix B for more
information regarding IC3 data.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
22
LAST-THREE-YEAR COMPLAINT COUNT COMPARISON
By Complaint Count
= Trend from previous Year
Crime Type
2023
2022
2021
Advanced Fee
8,045
11,264
11,034
BEC
21,489
21,832
19,954
Botnet
540
568
N/A
Confidence Fraud/Romance
17,823
19,021
24,299
Credit Card/Check Fraud
13,718
22,985
16,750
Crimes Against Children
2,361
2,587
2,167
Data Breach
3,727
2,795
1,287
Employment
15,443
14,946
15,253

Extortion
48,223
39,416
39,360
Government Impersonation
14,190
11,554
11,335
Harassment/Stalking
9,587
11,779
N/A
Identity Theft
19,778
27,922
51,629
Investment
39,570
30,529
20,561

IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
1,498
2,183
4,270
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
4,168
5,650
5,991
Malware
659
762
810
Non-Payment/Non-Delivery
50,523
51,679
82,478
Other
8,808
9,966
12,346
Overpayment
4,144
6,183
6,108
Personal Data Breach
55,851
58,859
51,829
Phishing/Spoofing
298,878
321,136
342,494
Ransomware
2,825
2,385
3,729
Real Estate
9,521
11,727
11,578
SIM Swap
1,075
2,026
N/A
Tech Support
37,560
32,538
23,903
Threats of Violence
1,697
2,224
N/A
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
23
LAST-THREE-YEAR COMPLAINT LOSS COMPARISON
By Complaint Loss
= Trend from previous Year
Crime Type
2023
2022
2021
Advanced Fee
$134,516,577
$104,325,444
$98,694,137
BEC
$2,946,830,270
$2,742,354,049
$2,395,953,296
Botnet
$22,422,708
$17,099,378
N/A
Confidence Fraud/Romance
$652,544,805
$735,882,192
$956,039,739
Credit Card/Check Fraud
$173,627,614
264,148,905
$172,998,385
Crimes Against Children
$2,031,485
$577,464
$198,950
Data Breach
$534,397,222
$459,321,859
$151,568,225
Employment
$70,234,079
$52,204,269
$47,231,023
Extortion
$74,821,835
$54,335,128
$60,577,741
Government Impersonation
$394,050,518
$240,553,091
$142,643,253
Harassment/Stalking
$9,677,332
$5,621,402
N/A
Identity Theft
$126,203,809
189,205,793
$278,267,918
Investment
$4,570,275,683
$3,311,742,206
$1,455,943,193
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
$7,555,329
$4,591,177
$16,365,011
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
$94,502,836
$83,602,376
$71,289,089
Malware
$1,213,317
$9,326,482
$5,596,889
Non-Payment/Non-Delivery
$309,648,416
$281,770,073
$337,493,071
Other
$240,053,059
$117,686,789
$75,837,524
Overpayment
$27,955,195
$38,335,772
$33,407,671
Personal Data Breach
$744,219,879
$742,438,136
$517,021,289
Phishing/Spoofing
$18,728,550
$160,015,411
$126,383,513
Ransomware
$59,641,384
$34,353,237
$49,207,908
Real Estate
$145,243,348
$396,932,821
$350,328,166
SIM Swap
$48,798,103
$72,652,571
N/A
Tech Support
$924,512,658
$806,551,993
$347,657,432
Threats of Violence
$13,531,178
$4,972,099
N/A
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
24
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS
Complaints per State*
Rank
State
Complaints
Rank
State
Complaints
1
California
77,271
30
Louisiana
4,890
2
Texas
47,305
31
Kentucky
4,641
3
Florida
41,061
32
District of Columbia
3,769
4
New York
26,948
33
Iowa
3,723
5
Ohio
17,864
34
Arkansas
3,220
6
Arizona
16,584
35
Mississippi
2,983
7
Pennsylvania
16,407
36
New Mexico
2,944
8
Illinois
15,783
37
Kansas
2,894
9
Michigan
14,784
38
Delaware
2,687
10
Washington
14,600
39
Puerto Rico
2,678
11
Georgia
13,917
40
West Virginia
2,365
12
Virginia
12,711
41
Alaska
2,338
13
North Carolina
12,282
42
Idaho
2,240
14
New Jersey
12,253
43
Nebraska
2,195
15
Colorado
11,475
44
Hawaii
1,954
16
Indiana
11,097
45
South Dakota
1,688
17
Massachusetts
9,915
46
New Hampshire
1,650
18
Nevada
9,893
47
Maine
1,626
19
South Carolina
9,736
48
Montana
1,571
20
Maryland
9,717
49
Rhode Island
1,425
21
Tennessee
8,484
50
Wyoming
828
22
Missouri
8,108
51
North Dakota
764
23
Wisconsin
7,683
52
Vermont
698
24
Minnesota
7,049
53
U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
145
25
Oregon
6,724
54
Virgin Islands, U.S.
126
26
Alabama
5,763
55
Guam
90
27
Connecticut
5,216
56
American Samoa
33
28
Utah
5,061
57
Northern Mariana Islands
16
29
Oklahoma
4,987
*Note: This information is based on the total number of complaints from each state, American Territory, and the
District of Columbia when the complainant provided state information. Please see Appendix B for more information
regarding IC3 data.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
25
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued
Losses by State*
Rank
State
Loss
Rank
State
Loss
1
California
$2,159,454,513
30
Louisiana
$78,286,085
2
Texas
$1,021,547,286
31
Oklahoma
$66,967,060
3
Florida
$874,725,493
32
Iowa
$59,829,482
4
New York
$749,955,480
33
Hawaii
$51,722,052
5
New Jersey
$441,151,263
34
Idaho
$50,631,580
6
Pennsylvania
$360,334,651
35
Kentucky
$48,746,051
7
Illinois
$335,764,223
36
Arkansas
$46,585,087
8
Arizona
$324,352,644
37
District of Columbia
$46,142,350
9
Georgia
$301,001,997
38
Montana
$45,554,368
10
Washington
$288,691,091
39
New Mexico
$45,127,386
11
Virginia
$265,073,590
40
Nebraska
$40,581,244
12
Massachusetts
$235,890,173
41
South Dakota
$35,855,494
13
North Carolina
$234,972,238
42
Delaware
$35,376,770
14
Maryland
$221,520,527
43
Mississippi
$32,144,078
15
Michigan
$203,445,988
44
Alaska
$31,771,278
16
Nevada
$200,995,121
45
Rhode Island
$31,586,831
17
Ohio
$197,365,326
46
Puerto Rico
$30,102,231
18
Minnesota
$193,949,414
47
New Hampshire
$27,178,268
19
Colorado
$187,621,731
48
West Virginia
$21,445,942
20
Indiana
$162,259,036
49
Maine
$18,968,567
21
Tennessee
$161,195,036
50
Wyoming
$13,746,109
22
Oregon
$136,052,036
51
North Dakota
$13,532,443
23
Utah
$132,257,035
52
Vermont
$ 8,818,181
24
Missouri
$123,405,404
53
U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
$3,588,797
25
Connecticut
$120,767,349
54
Virgin Islands, U.S.
$2,637,004
26
South Carolina
$119,950,630
55
Guam
$747,876
27
Alabama
$96,479,649
56
American Samoa
$327,467
28
Kansas
$94,158,337
57
Northern Mariana Islands
$25,917
29
Wisconsin
$92,084,459
*Note: This information is based on the total number of complaints from each state, American Territory, and the
District of Columbia when the complainant provided state information. Please see Appendix B for more information
regarding IC3 data.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
26
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued
Count of Subjects per State*
Rank
State
Subjects
Rank
State
Subjects
1
California
42,590
30
Kentucky
1,760
2
Texas
18,194
31
Mississippi
1,738
3
Florida
17,174
32
Nebraska
1,696
4
New York
14,824
33
Wisconsin
1,621
5
Georgia
6,083
34
Arkansas
1,587
6
Ohio
5,728
35
Utah
1,440
7
Illinois
5,550
36
New Mexico
1,035
8
Washington
5,523
37
Delaware
1,027
9
Pennsylvania
5,359
38
Kansas
989
10
Arizona
5,029
39
Iowa
915
11
North Carolina
4,973
40
West Virginia
736
12
Michigan
4,839
41
Idaho
694
13
New Jersey
4,633
42
South Dakota
615
14
Connecticut
4,297
43
Hawaii
602
15
Virginia
4,202
44
Montana
600
16
Colorado
4,178
45
Vermont
598
17
Maryland
3,598
46
Wyoming
573
18
Nevada
3,402
47
Rhode Island
525
19
Massachusetts
3,263
48
Alaska
487
20
Tennessee
3,127
49
New Hampshire
474
21
South Carolina
2,893
50
Maine
446
22
Indiana
2,624
51
Puerto Rico
326
23
Minnesota
2,549
52
North Dakota
303
24
Missouri
2,470
53
Virgin Islands, U.S.
60
25
Alabama
2,408
54
United States Minor Outlying
Islands
58
26
Oregon
2,253
55
Guam
32
27
Louisiana
2,128
56
American Samoa
10
28
Oklahoma
2,066
57
Northern Mariana Islands
6
29
District of Columbia
1,952
*Note: This information is based on the total number of complaints from each state, American Territory, and the
District of Columbia when the complainant provided state information. Please see Appendix B for more information
regarding IC3 data.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
27
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued
Losses Attributed to Subjects per Destination State*
Rank
State
Loss
Rank
State
Loss
1
California
$1,450,468,117
30
Delaware
$26,679,171
2
New York
$659,190,424
31
Oklahoma
$25,955,810
3
Florida
$460,557,456
32
Alabama
$24,130,582
4
Texas
$436,917,629
33
Iowa
$22,875,411
5
Washington
$197,573,721
34
Wisconsin
$21,885,467
6
New Jersey
$162,556,627
35
Kentucky
$18,985,386
7
Pennsylvania
$161,290,998
36
New Hampshire
$16,725,453
8
Illinois
$160,429,405
37
South Dakota
$16,664,530
9
Arizona
$143,931,864
38
Idaho
$16,259,172
10
Georgia
$138,867,559
39
New Mexico
$15,968,662
11
Utah
$136,063,240
40
Arkansas
$13,170,026
12
Colorado
$123,104,339
41
Montana
$12,196,983
13
Massachusetts
$115,059,569
42
West Virginia
$11,423,197
14
North Carolina
$100,992,438
43
Mississippi
$11,309,747
15
Minnesota
$76,391,448
44
Nebraska
$11,260,461
16
Louisiana
$76,222,392
45
Hawaii
$11,086,273
17
Maryland
$72,488,154
46
Kansas
$10,734,529
18
Nevada
$72,469,793
47
Rhode Island
$9,446,947
19
Virginia
$69,306,635
48
Maine
$7,468,102
20
District of Columbia
$65,746,127
49
Alaska
$6,534,122
21
Ohio
$64,966,735
50
Puerto Rico
$3,260,842
22
Michigan
$52,994,817
51
North Dakota
$2,714,457
23
Tennessee
$49,887,333
52
Vermont
$2,003,750
24
Indiana
$49,381,324
53
United States Minor
Outlying Islands
$947,386
25
Missouri
$46,655,163
54
Northern Mariana Islands
$237,597
26
Connecticut
$40,616,316
55
Virgin Islands, U.S.
$123,269
27
Oregon
$38,230,223
56
Guam
$113,518
28
South Carolina
$31,866,254
57
American Samoa
$21,420
29
Wyoming
$30,627,210
*Note: This information is based on the total number of complaints from each state, American Territory, and the
District of Columbia when the complainant provided state information. Please see Appendix B for more information
regarding IC3 data.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
28
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued
Complaints per Capita* per 100,000 citizens
Rank
State
Subjects
Rank
State
Subjects
1
District of Columbia
555.1
27
West Virginia
133.6
2
Alaska
318.8
28
New Jersey
131.9
3
Nevada
309.7
29
Missouri
130.9
4
Delaware
260.4
30
Rhode Island
130.0
5
Arizona
223.2
31
Wisconsin
130.0
6
California
198.3
32
Pennsylvania
126.6
7
Colorado
195.2
33
Georgia
126.2
8
Washington
186.9
34
Illinois
125.8
9
South Dakota
183.6
35
Oklahoma
123.0
10
Florida
181.6
36
Minnesota
122.8
11
South Carolina
181.2
37
Tennessee
119.0
12
Indiana
161.7
38
New Hampshire
117.7
13
Oregon
158.8
39
Maine
116.5
14
Maryland
157.2
40
Iowa
116.1
15
Texas
155.1
41
Idaho
114.0
16
Ohio
151.6
42
North Carolina
113.3
17
Utah
148.1
43
Alabama
112.8
18
Michigan
147.3
44
Nebraska
110.9
19
Virginia
145.8
45
Vermont
107.8
20
Connecticut
144.2
46
Louisiana
106.9
21
Wyoming
141.8
47
Arkansas
105.0
22
Massachusetts
141.6
48
Kentucky
102.5
23
New Mexico
139.2
49
Mississippi
101.5
24
Montana
138.7
50
Kansas
98.4
25
New York
137.7
51
North Dakota
97.5
26
Hawaii
136.2
52
Puerto Rico
83.5
*Note: This information is based on the estimated 2023 Census data and the total number of complaints from each
state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico when the complainant provided state information. Please see
Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data.
https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-total.html#v2023
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
29
OVERALL STATE STATISTICS continued
Losses per Capita* per 100,000 citizens
Rank
State
Loss
Rank
State
Loss
1
District of Columbia
$6,795,914
27
Illinois
$2,675,478
2
Nevada
$6,292,550
28
Idaho
$2,577,030
3
California
$5,542,009
29
Indiana
$2,364,534
4
New Jersey
$4,748,238
30
Wyoming
$2,353,556
5
Arizona
$4,364,657
31
Tennessee
$2,261,914
6
Alaska
$4,332,018
32
South Carolina
$2,232,240
7
Montana
$4,021,353
33
North Carolina
$2,168,543
8
South Dakota
$3,900,228
34
New Mexico
$2,134,317
9
Utah
$3,869,729
35
Nebraska
$2,051,237
10
Florida
$3,868,631
36
Michigan
$2,026,907
11
New York
$3,831,931
37
Missouri
$1,991,645
12
Washington
$3,695,066
38
New Hampshire
$1,938,461
13
Hawaii
$3,603,978
39
Alabama
$1,888,622
14
Maryland
$3,584,328
40
Iowa
$1,865,588
15
Delaware
$3,428,347
41
North Dakota
$1,726,240
16
Minnesota
$3,380,137
42
Louisiana
$1,711,639
17
Massachusetts
$3,369,186
43
Ohio
$1,674,584
18
Texas
$3,348,973
44
Oklahoma
$1,651,948
19
Connecticut
$3,338,719
45
Wisconsin
$1,557,861
20
Oregon
$3,213,809
46
Arkansas
$1,518,551
21
Kansas
$3,202,070
47
Puerto Rico
$1,479,384
22
Colorado
$3,192,143
48
Vermont
$1,361,957
23
Virginia
$3,041,335
49
Maine
$1,359,051
24
Rhode Island
$2,882,110
50
West Virginia
$1,211,587
25
Pennsylvania
$2,779,999
51
Mississippi
$1,093,451
26
Georgia
$2,729,130
52
Kentucky
$1,076,986
*Note: This information is based on the estimated 2023 Census data and the total number of complaints from each
state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico when the complainant provided state information. Please see
Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data.
https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-state-total.html#v2023
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
30
APPENDIX A: DEFINITIONS
Advanced Fee: An individual pays money to someone in anticipation of receiving something of greater value
in return, but instead, receives significantly less than expected or nothing.
Business Email Compromise (BEC): BEC is a scam targeting businesses or individuals working with suppliers
and/or businesses regularly performing wire transfer payments. These sophisticated scams are carried out
by fraudsters by compromising email accounts and other forms of communication such as phone numbers
and virtual meeting applications, through social engineering or computer intrusion techniques to conduct
unauthorized transfer of funds.
Botnet: A botnet is a group of two or more computers controlled and updated remotely for an illegal
purchase such as a Distributed Denial of Service or Telephony Denial of Service attack or other nefarious
activity.
Confidence/Romance: An individual believes they are in a relationship (family, friendly, or romantic) and
are tricked into sending money, personal and financial information, or items of value to the perpetrator or
to launder money or items to assist the perpetrator. This includes the Grandparent’s Scheme and any
scheme in which the perpetrator preys on the targeted individual’s “heartstrings.”
Credit Card Fraud/Check Fraud: Credit card fraud is a wide-ranging term for theft and fraud committed
using a credit card or any similar payment mechanism (ACH, EFT, recurring charge, etc.) as a fraudulent
source of funds in a transaction.
Crimes Against Children: Anything related to the exploitation of children, including child abuse.
Data Breach: A data breach in the cyber context is the use of a computer intrusion to acquire confidential
or secured information. This does not include computer intrusions targeting personally owned computers,
systems, devices, or personal accounts such as social media or financial accounts.
Employment: An individual believes they are legitimately employed and loses money, or launders
money/items during the course of their employment.
Extortion: Unlawful extraction of money or property through intimidation or undue exercise of authority.
It may include threats of physical harm, criminal prosecution, or public exposure.
Government Impersonation: A government official is impersonated in an attempt to collect money.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
31
Harassment/Stalking: Repeated words, conduct, or action that serve no legitimate purpose and are
directed at a specific person to annoy, alarm, or distress that person. Engaging in a course of conduct
directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for his/her safety or the safety
of others or suffer substantial emotional distress.
Identity Theft: Someone wrongfully obtains and uses personally identifiable information in some way that
involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.
Investment: Deceptive practice that induces investors to make purchases based on false information. These
scams usually offer those targeted large returns with minimal risk. (Retirement, 401K, Ponzi, Pyramid, etc.).
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit: The illegal theft and use of others’ ideas, inventions, and creative
expressions what’s called intellectual property everything from trade secrets and proprietary products
and parts to movies, music, and software.
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance: An individual is contacted about winning a lottery or sweepstakes they
never entered, or to collect on an inheritance from an unknown relative.
Malware: Software or code intended to damage, disable, or capable of copying itself onto a computer
and/or computer systems to have a detrimental effect or destroy data.
Non-Payment/Non-Delivery: Goods or services are shipped, and payment is never rendered (non-
payment). Payment is sent, and goods or services are never received, or are of lesser quality (non-delivery).
Overpayment: An individual is sent a payment/commission and is instructed to keep a portion of the
payment and send the remainder to another individual or business.
Personal Data Breach: A leak/spill of personal data which is released from a secure location to an untrusted
environment. Also, a security incident in which an individual’s sensitive, protected, or confidential data is
copied, transmitted, viewed, stolen, or used by an unauthorized individual.
Phishing/Spoofing: The use of unsolicited email, text messages, and telephone calls purportedly from a
legitimate company requesting personal, financial, and/or login credentials.
Ransomware: A type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until money is
paid.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
32
Real Estate: Loss of funds from a real estate investment or fraud involving rental or timeshare property.
SIM Swap: The use of unsophisticated social engineering techniques against mobile service providers to
transfer a victim’s phone service to a mobile device in the criminal’s possession.
Tech Support: Subject posing as technical or customer support/service.
Threats of Violence: An expression of an intention to inflict pain, injury, self-harm, or death not in the
context of extortion.
2 0 2 3 I N T E R NE T C R I M E R E P O R T
33
APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT IC3 DATA
As appropriate, complaints are reviewed by IC3 analysts, who apply a crime type and adjust the total
loss.
Crime Types and losses can be variable and can evolve based upon investigative or analytical
proceedings. Statistics are an assessment taken at a point in time, which can change.
Complainant/Entity is identified as the individual filing a complaint.
Some complainants may have filed more than once, creating a possible duplicate complaint.
All location-based reports are generated from information entered when known/provided by the
complainant.
Losses reported in foreign currencies are converted to U.S. dollars when possible.
Complaint counts represent the number of individual complaints received from each state and do not
represent the number of individuals filing a complaint.
Subject is identified as the individual perpetrating the scam as reported by the complainant.
“Count by Subjects per state” is the number of subjects per state, as reported by complainants.
Losses Attributed to Subjects per Destination State is the amount swindled by the subject, as
reported by the complainant, per state.
FE D E R A L B U RE A U O F I N V E S TI G A T I O N
34
APPENDIX C: PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUCEMENTS PUBLISHED
Title
Date
Scammers Targeting Owners of Timeshares in Mexico
3/3/2023
Criminals Steal Cryptocurrency through Play-to-Earn Games
3/9/2023
The FBI Warns of a Spike in Cryptocurrency Investment Schemes
3/14/2023
Business Email Compromise Tactics Used to Facilitate the Acquisition of
Commodities and Defrauding Vendors
3/24/2023
For-Profit Companies Charging Sextortion Victims for Assistance and Using Deceptive
Tactics to Elicit Payments
4/7/2023
Criminals Pose as Chinese Authorities to Target US-based Chinese Community
4/10/2023
Multinational Non-Governmental Organizations Potentially Exploited in Aftermath of
Earthquakes Affecting Turkey and Syria
4/28/2023
The FBI Warns of False Job Advertisements Linked to Labor Trafficking at Scam
Compounds
5/22/2023
Malicious Actors Manipulating Photos and Videos to Create Explicit Content and
Sextortion Schemes (ic3.gov)
7/5/2023
Business Email Compromise: The $50 Billion Scam
7/9/2023
Increase in Tech Support Scams Targeting Older Adults and Directing Victims to Send
Cash through Shipping Companies
7/18/2023
Criminals Pose as Non-Fungible Token (NFT) Developers to Target Internet Users
with an Interest in NFT Acquisition
8/4/2023
Increase in Companies Falsely Claiming an Ability to Recover Funds Lost in
Cryptocurrency Investment Scams
8/11/2023
Cyber Criminals Targeting Victims through Mobile Beta-Testing Applications (ic3.gov)
8/14/2023
FBI Guidance for Cryptocurrency Scam Victims
8/24/2023
Violent Online Groups Extort Minors to Self-Harm and Produce Child Sexual Abuse
Material
9/12/2023
"Phantom Hacker" Scams Target Senior Citizens and Result in Victims Losing their
Life Savings
9/29/2023
Situation in Israel
10/10/2023
Cybercriminals are Targeting Plastic Surgery Offices and Patients
10/17/2023
Additional Guidance on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Information
Technology Workers
10/18/2023
Scammers Solicit Fake Humanitarian Donations
10/24/2023
Threats Associated with the Israel-HAMAS Conflict
10/26/2023
2023 Holiday Shopping Scams
11/15/2023
FBI Warns of Scammers Targeting Senior Citizens in Grandparent Scams and
Demanding Funds by Wire, Mail, or Couriers
11/17/2023
Threat of Violence Likely Heightened Throughout Winter
12/12/2023