Crypto-related scams surged in the United States in 2025 as the digital asset market rallied to new highs, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s 2025 Internet Crime Report. The FBI said Americans faced a sharp rise in schemes tied to cryptocurrencies, coinciding with Bitcoin’s climb to fresh all-time highs in the fourth quarter.
FBI Flags Surge in Crypto Fraud
The report from the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) highlights a notable increase in complaints and financial losses linked to digital asset fraud. The bureau warned that criminals continued to exploit periods of heightened market interest, targeting retail investors with sophisticated pitches and false promises of outsized returns.
Market Rally Drew New Targets
Bitcoin’s advance to record levels in late 2025 led a broader market upswing, drawing in new participants and liquidity. Historically, such phases have coincided with an uptick in fraud activity as scammers leverage momentum narratives, social media outreach, and impersonation tactics to lure first-time buyers.
Common Schemes and How They Operate
- Investment and impersonation fraud: Scammers pose as financial professionals, influencers, or support staff, steering victims to deposit crypto into fraudulent platforms or wallets.
- “Pig-butchering” schemes: Long-running social engineering plays that build trust before directing targets into fake crypto investments.
- Account compromise and phishing: Emails, texts, and spoofed websites harvest credentials or seed malicious links to drain exchange or wallet accounts.
- Recovery and tech-support scams: Fraudsters offer to help retrieve lost funds or unlock accounts, then demand fees or additional transfers.
The FBI encourages victims to report incidents to the IC3 at IC3.gov and to retain transaction records, wallet addresses, and communication logs that may aid investigations.
Enforcement and Consumer Awareness
The bureau’s findings underscore persistent risks during bull markets and the need for continued public awareness. While market conditions can amplify fraud attempts, timely reporting and verification of counterparties remain central to disrupting criminal activity.