1
2
2022 ELDER FRAUD REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 3
By the Numbers ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2022 Victims by Age Group ..................................................................................................................... 5
VICTIMS OVER 60 Reporting for past five years ...................................................................................... 5
2022 Crime Types .................................................................................................................................... 6
LAST THREE YEARS COMPARISON ........................................................................................................8
LAST THREE YEARS COMPARISON, Continued ......................................................................................9
2022 OVERALL STATE STATISTICS ...................................................................................................... 10
2022 OVERALL STATE STATISTICS, Continued ................................................................................... 11
COMMON FRAUDS AFFECTING Victims OVER 60 .................................................................................. 12
Call Center Fraud: Tech and Customer Support / Government Impersonation............................... 12
Investment ......................................................................................................................................... 13
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance ..................................................................................................... 13
Confidence/Romance Scams ............................................................................................................. 14
Extortion ............................................................................................................................................ 14
Non-Payment/Non-Delivery .............................................................................................................. 15
Cryptocurrency .................................................................................................................................. 15
Appendix A: Definitions ......................................................................................................................... 17
Appendix B: Additional Information about IC3 Data ............................................................................. 20
Appendix C: Tips for Protection ............................................................................................................. 21
Appendix D: referenced publications .................................................................................................... 22
3
INTRODUCTION
Dear Reader,
The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) is a central intake
point for victims to report fraud. IC3 shares the complaints it receives with FBI field offices and other
law enforcement and regulatory agencies for further investigation or action, as appropriate. Along with
the Department of Justice’s Elder Fraud Initiative and other partners, the FBI is continually dedicated
to identifying the perpetrators of these schemes and bringing them to justice.
Every day, the IC3 receives thousands of complaints reporting a wide variety of schemes, many of them
targeting seniors. These complaints are analyzed and aggregated to identify trends and help develop
strategies to combat these schemes and protect potential victims from loss.
In 2022, total losses reported to the IC3 by elderly victims increased 84% from 2021. Tech and
Customer Support schemes continued to be the most common type of fraud reported, with 17,800
complaints filed by victims over 60. Monetary losses due to Investment Fraud reported by victims over
60 increased over 300%, more than any other kind of fraud, largely due to the rising trend of crypto-
investment scams. In almost every crime type tracked by the IC3, losses involving cryptocurrency
increased. Overall, cryptocurrency-related losses reported by the elderly increased by 350%.
As in previous years, the FBI is publishing the 2022 IC3 Elder Fraud Annual Report in hopes of bringing
awareness to this problem and preventing future victimization. I encourage you to share the
information from this report with your friends and families and take the opportunity to talk about
these scams.
We also encourage the public to report any internet-related fraud, even attempted fraud, to the IC3
as soon as possible. Providing detailed information, including complete summaries and financial
transactions, assists the FBI with investigating and disrupting the frauds that are devastating our
citizens.
4
BY THE NUMBERS
IC3 Victims Over 60 by the Numbers
1
1
Accessibility description: Image depicts key statistics regarding victims over 60 complaints. The total number of
complaints received in 2022 was 88,262. Total losses of $3.1 billion were reported. Victims over 60 experienced
84 percent increase in losses from 2021. The average loss per victim was $35,101. 5,456 victims lost more than
$100,000.
5
2022 VICTIMS BY AGE GROUP
VICTIMS
Total Count
Total Loss
15,782
$210,482,785
57,978
$383,137,848
94,506
$1,277,981,506
87,526
$1,551,296,778
64,551
$1,830,440,552
88,262
$3,098,100,121
VICTIMS OVER 60 REPORTING FOR PAST FIVE YEARS
3
2
Not all complaints include an associated age range—those without this information are excluded from this
table. Please see Appendix B for more information regarding IC3 data.
3
Charts describe Counts and Losses for Victims over 60 from 2018 – 2022.
0
20,000
40,000
60,000
80,000
100,000
120,000
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Victims
$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
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Losses
6
2022 CRIME TYPES
VICTIMS OVER 60 COUNTS
Crime Type
Victims
Crime Type
Victims
Tech Support
17,810
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
2,388
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
7,985
Other
2,016
Personal Data Breach
7,849
Real Estate
1,862
Confidence/Romance
7,166
Employment
1,286
Credit Card/Check Fraud
4,956
Overpayment
1,183
Identity Theft
4,825
Harassment/Stalking
754
Investment
4,661
Data Breach
333
Extortion
4,285
SIM Swap
301
Spoofing
4,201
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
235
Phishing
4,168
Ransomware
215
BEC*
3,938
Threats of Violence
166
(Reporting a potential business victimization)
2,552
Malware
125
(Reporting a personal victimization)
1,386
Crimes Against Children
84
Government Impersonation
3,425
Botnet
33
Advanced Fee
3,153
Descriptors*
Cryptocurrency
6,854
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.
Cryptocurrency Wallet
3,137
PA
PA
NY
* Regarding BEC victim counts: A whole number is given to depict the overall victim count and is then broken out
into separate counts to identify when a Victim over 60 may be reporting victimization on behalf of a business or
personally.
7
2022 CRIME TYPES, Continued
VICTIM OVER 60 LOSSES
Crime Type
Loss
Crime Type
Loss
Investment
$990,235,119
Spoofing
$22,261,276
Tech Support
$587,831,698
SIM Swap
$19,515,629
BEC*
$477,342,728
Data Breach
$17,681,749
(Reporting a potential business loss)
$369,773,371
Extortion
$15,555,047
(Reporting a personal loss)
$107,569,357
Phishing
$14,453,929
Confidence/Romance
$419,768,142
Overpayment
$10,977,231
Government Impersonation
$136,500,338
Employment
$6,403,021
Real Estate
$135,239,020
Malware
$1,851,421
Personal Data Breach
$127,736,607
Threats of Violence
$376,458
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
$69,845,106
Harassment/Stalking
$254,659
Credit Card/Check Fraud
$61,649,198
Ransomware**
$210,052
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
$51,531,615
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
$203,140
Advanced Fee
$49,322,099
Botnet
$120,621
Identity Theft
$42,653,578
Crimes Against Children
$48,373
Other
$31,410,237
Descriptors*
Cryptocurrency
$827,633,473
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.
Cryptocurrency Wallet
$260,696,578
** Regarding Ransomware adjusted losses, this number does not include estimates of lost business, time, wages,
files, equipment, or any third-party remediation services acquired by a victim. In some cases, victims do not
report any loss amount to the FBI, thereby creating an artificially low overall ransomware loss rate. Lastly, the
number only represents what victims report to the FBI via the IC3 and does not account for victims directly
reporting to FBI field offices/agents.
* Regarding BEC victim losses: A whole number is given to depict the overall victim loss and is then broken out
into separate counts to identify when a victim over 60 may be reporting victimization on behalf of a business or
personally.
8
LAST THREE YEARS COMPARISON
OVER 60 VICTIM COUNT
Crime Type
2022
2021
2020
Advanced Fee
3,153
3,029
3,008
BEC
3,938
3,755
3,530
(Reporting a potential business loss)
2,552
2,143
--
(Reporting a personal loss)
1,386
1,612
--
Botnet *
33
--
--
Confidence/Romance
7,166
7,658
6,817
Credit Card/Check Fraud
4,956
3,164
3,195
Crimes Against Children
84
42
58
Data Breach
333
158
285
Employment
1,286
1,408
1,867
Extortion
4,285
5,987
23,100
Government Impersonation
3,425
3,319
4,159
Harassment/Stalking *
754
--
--
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
235
686
552
Identity Theft
4,825
8,902
7,581
Investment
4,661
2,104
1,062
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
2,388
2,607
3,774
Malware
125
134
287
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
7,985
13,220
14,534
Other
2,016
2,933
3,259
Overpayment
1,183
1,448
2,196
Personal Data Breach
7,849
6,189
6,121
Phishing
4,168
5,831
7,353
Ransomware
215
365
365
Real Estate
1,862
1,764
1,882
SIM Swap *
301
--
--
Spoofing
4,201
3,936
7,279
Tech Support
17,810
13,900
9,429
Threats of Violence *
166
719
1,699
Cryptocurrency/Cryptocurrency Wallet
9,991
5,109
9,447
*New Crime Type added in 2022.
9
LAST THREE YEARS COMPARISON, Continued
OVER 60 VICTIM LOSS
Crime Type
2022
2021
2020
Advanced Fee
$49,322,099
$36,464,491
$33,184,114
BEC
$477,342,728
$355,805,098
$168,793,903
(Reporting a potential business loss)
$369,773,371
$277,547,598
--*
(Reporting a personal loss)
$107,569,357
$78,257,500
--
Botnet *
$120,621
--
--
Confidence/Romance
$419,768,142
$432,081,901
$281,134,006
Credit Card/Check Fraud
$61,649,198
$39,019,072
$20,780,800
Crimes Against Children
$48,373
$550
$411,349
Data Breach
$17,681,749
$7,095,746
$10,148,817
Employment
$6,403,021
$9,610,615
$16,092,611
Extortion
$15,555,047
$19,533,187
$18,503,168
Government Impersonation
$136,500,338
$69,186,858
$45,909,970
Harassment/Stalking *
$254,659
--
--
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
$203,140
$4,954,221
$479,375
Identity Theft
$42,653,578
$59,022,153
$39,006,465
Investment
$990,235,119
$239,474,635
$98,040,940
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
$69,845,106
$53,557,330
$38,804,343
Malware
$1,851,421
$1,177,864
$671,667
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
$51,531,615
$52,023,580
$40,377,167
Other
$31,410,237
$22,196,542
$49,689,594
Overpayment
$10,977,231
$9,214,129
$11,212,323
Personal Data Breach
$127,736,607
$103,688,489
$24,641,539
Phishing
$14,453,929
$9,166,217
$18,829,999
Ransomware
$210,052
$424,852
$5,332,312
Real Estate
$135,239,020
$102,071,631
$50,098,565
SIM Swap *
$19,515,629
--
--
Spoofing
$22,261,276
$19,473,060
$40,886,040
Tech Support
$587,831,698
$237,931,278
$116,415,126
Threats of Violence *
$376,458
$361,549
$1,112,825
Cryptocurrency/Cryptocurrency Wallet
$1,088,330,051
$241,143,166
$55,056,901
*New Crime Type added in 2022.
10
2022 OVERALL STATE STATISTICS
VICTIMS OVER 60 BY STATE*
Rank
State
Victims
Rank
State
Victims
1
California
11,517
30
Utah
741
2
Florida
8,480
31
New Mexico
728
3
Texas
5,674
32
Louisiana
721
4
New York
4,239
33
Arkansas
649
5
Arizona
3,543
34
Iowa
557
6
Ohio
3,099
35
Kansas
472
7
Colorado
2,925
36
Idaho
466
8
Pennsylvania
2,901
37
Maine
459
9
Illinois
2,495
38
Hawaii
399
10
Virginia
2,447
39
New Hampshire
372
11
New Jersey
2,368
40
Mississippi
356
12
Washington
2,335
41
West Virginia
340
13
Michigan
2,243
42
Nebraska
335
14
Georgia
2,005
43
South Dakota
331
15
North Carolina
1,959
44
Alaska
316
16
Nevada
1,914
45
Delaware
305
17
Maryland
1,724
46
Montana
295
18
Massachusetts
1,653
47
Rhode Island
219
19
Missouri
1,503
48
Wyoming
209
20
Tennessee
1,462
49
District of Columbia
195
21
Oregon
1,314
50
Puerto Rico
190
22
South Carolina
1,312
51
Vermont
188
23
Minnesota
1,185
52
North Dakota
109
24
Indiana
1,172
53
United States Minor Outlying Islands
21
25
Wisconsin
1,029
54
Virgin Islands, U.S.
19
26
Kentucky
937
55
Guam
15
27
Alabama
916
56
American Samoa
8
28
Connecticut
908
57
Northern Mariana Islands
2
29
Oklahoma
790
*Note: This information is based on the total number of complaints from each state, U.S. Territory, and the District
of Columbia when the complainant provided state information. Please see Appendix B for more information
regarding IC3 data.
11
2022 OVERALL STATE STATISTICS, Continued
VICTIMS OVER 60 LOSSES BY STATE*
Rank
State
Loss
Rank
State
Loss
1
California
$624,509,520
30
Arkansas
$24,314,902
2
Florida
$328,114,489
31
Kentucky
$22,494,352
3
Texas
$243,067,545
32
Oklahoma
$19,455,718
4
New York
$212,045,216
33
Idaho
$18,984,217
5
Washington
$96,213,728
34
Louisiana
$18,374,982
6
New Jersey
$92,712,866
35
Hawaii
$16,334,492
7
Arizona
$82,255,007
36
Nebraska
$16,117,012
8
Pennsylvania
$80,250,904
37
New Hampshire
$14,665,788
9
Georgia
$78,736,227
38
Delaware
$14,023,134
10
Illinois
$75,905,639
39
New Mexico
$13,382,175
11
Massachusetts
$70,100,868
40
Maine
$12,741,072
12
Colorado
$66,826,911
41
Iowa
$12,082,177
13
Maryland
$63,662,134
42
Alaska
$7,646,998
14
North Carolina
$63,464,255
43
Rhode Island
$7,314,666
15
Virginia
$60,641,280
44
Montana
$6,968,157
16
Michigan
$52,520,999
45
Vermont
$5,663,838
17
Ohio
$51,041,223
46
South Dakota
$5,634,355
18
Oregon
$46,324,137
47
Mississippi
$5,459,509
19
Minnesota
$39,211,355
48
Wyoming
$5,265,283
20
Nevada
$38,563,008
49
West Virginia
$4,460,124
21
Tennessee
$36,568,079
50
District of Columbia
$4,399,340
22
South Carolina
$35,610,994
51
North Dakota
$3,054,570
23
Missouri
$34,961,102
52
Puerto Rico
$2,363,832
24
Connecticut
$33,660,316
53
United States Minor Outlying Islands
$564,494
25
Wisconsin
$31,024,115
54
Guam
$163,555
26
Utah
$27,657,757
55
Virgin Islands, U.S.
$142,162
27
Alabama
$26,756,713
56
Northern Mariana Islands
$15,500
28
Indiana
$26,497,603
57
American Samoa
$14,136
29
Kansas
$24,435,433
*Note: This information is based on the total number of complaints from each state, U.S. Territory, and the District
of Columbia when the complainant provided state information. Please see Appendix B for more information
regarding IC3 data.
12
COMMON FRAUDS AFFECTING VICTIMS OVER 60
Call Center Fraud: Tech and Customer Support / Government Impersonation
Illegal call centers defraud thousands of victims each year. Two categories of fraud
reported to the IC3, Tech/Customer Support and Government Impersonation, are
responsible for over $1 billion in losses to victims.
Call centers overwhelmingly target the elderly, with devastating effects. Almost half
the victims report to be over 60 (46%), and experience 69% of the losses (over $724
million). Victims over 60 lost more to these scams than all other age groups
combined, and reportedly remortgaged/foreclosed homes, emptied retirement accounts, and
borrowed from family and friends to cover losses in these scams. Almost 100 elderly victims reportedly
lost over $1 million to these
scams, while the majority
lost between $1,000 -
$10,000.
While the number of victims and losses from Government Impersonation scams are significantly lower,
the fraud tends to occur over a longer period as it takes the victim longer to realize they are caught in
a scam. Tech and Customer Support scammers take advantage of victims’ unfamiliarity with
technology, online banking, and newer payment methods, like cryptocurrency, to quickly take as much
money as possible. It is not uncommon for the scammers to execute a combination of the two scams
or re-victimize a previous victim with the other form of scam.
The scams primarily emanate from call centers in
South Asia, mainly India. In response to the increasing
victimization, the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the
FBI are collaborating 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.
This cooperation has secured the testimony of U.S.
victims of call center fraud for use in enforcement
proceedings against the alleged perpetrators.
In 2022, with the assistance of U.S. law enforcement,
Indian law enforcement accomplished multiple call
center raids, disruptions, seizures, and arrests of the
individuals alleged to be involved in perpetrating
these cyber-enabled financial crimes and global
telemarketing frauds.
To learn more about these types of scams, please see
these 2022-published Public Service Announcements
on the IC3 website and recently published podcast on FBI.gov
4
4
See Appendix D: Referenced Publications
Victims
Losses
Trend
Government Impersonation
3,425
$136,500,338
97%
Tech and Customer Support
17,810
$587,831,698
147%
TOTAL
21,235
$724,332,036
$0
$100,000,000
$200,000,000
$300,000,000
$400,000,000
$500,000,000
$600,000,000
$700,000,000
$800,000,000
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
Call Center Frauds - Victims Over 60
Losses Victims
13
Investment
Investment fraud involves complex financial crimes often characterized as low-risk
investments with guaranteed returns. They comprise of advanced fee frauds, Ponzi
schemes, pyramid schemes, market manipulation fraud, real estate investing, and
trust-based investing such
as pig butchering.
Trust-based Investment scams represent the
biggest portion of losses for investment in
2022. These scams often target individuals
online and most commonly involve a form of
cryptocurrency. The scammers aim to gain the
victim’s trust and offer an opportunity to
invest in a low-risk, and unusually high-yield
type of scam. Victims over 60 are pressured
into accessing their retirement accounts, the
equity of their home, or even convinced to go
into debt to invest as much money as possible
into the fraudulent scheme. This can be
devastating to elderly victims as their income
is typically limited and many lose their entire
life savings.
5
More than 4,500 victims over 60 reported
losses slightly under $1 billion.
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
In 2022, the IC3 received over 2,300 reports of elderly victims in
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance scams. Victims lost almost $70 million to these
types of fraud.
The initial contact in a Lottery/Sweepstakes scam is often a call, an email, a social
media notification, or a piece of mail offering congratulations for winning a big
contest, lottery, or sweepstakes the victim did not enter. To claim their prize, the victim is required to
pay upfront fees and taxes. The subjects will continue to call victims for months or even years,
promising the big prize is only one more payment away.
Inheritance scams function very similarly as the victim is informed an unknown, distant relative has left
a large inheritance to the victim. The victim is required to pay taxes and fees to receive the inheritance
money.
5
See Appendix D: Referenced Publications
$0
$200,000,000
$400,000,000
$600,000,000
$800,000,000
$1,000,000,000
$1,200,000,000
2020 2021 2022
Investment
Over 60 Victim Losses Past 3 Years
14
Confidence/Romance Scams
Confidence/Romance scams encompass those designed to pull on a victim’s
“heartstrings”. In 2022, the IC3 received reports from 7,166 victims over 60 who
experienced almost $419 million in losses to Confidence/Romance scams.
Romance scams occur when a criminal adopts a fake online identity to gain a victim’s
affection and confidence. The scammer uses the illusion of a romantic or close
relationship to manipulate and/or steal from the victim. The criminals who carry out Romance scams
are experts at what they do and will seem genuine, caring, and believable. The scammer’s intention is
to quickly establish a relationship, endear themselves to the victim, gain trust, and eventually ask for
money. Scam artists often say they are in the military, or a trades-based industry engaged in projects
outside the U.S. That makes it easier to avoid meeting in person—and more plausible when they
request money be sent overseas for a medical emergency or unexpected legal fee.
Grandparent Scams also fall into this category, where criminals impersonate a panicked loved one,
usually a grandchild, nephew, or niece of an elderly person. The loved one claims to be in trouble and
needs money immediately. In 2022, almost 400 victims over 60 reported Grandparent scams, with
approximate losses of $3.8 million.
Extortion
Extortion occurs when a criminal demands something of value from a victim by
threatening physical or financial harm or the release of sensitive data. Extortion is
used in various schemes reported to the IC3, including email extortion attacks,
hitman schemes, government extortion, and sextortion. In 2022, over 4,200 victims
over 60 reported incidences of extortion, with losses over $15.5 million.
Almost half of extortion victims over 60 reported to be victims of sextortion. Most believed they were
in a relationship with the victim and shared sensitive photos or information which were then later used
to sextort them.
$0 $100,000,000 $200,000,000 $300,000,000 $400,000,000
2020
2021
2022
Confidence/Romance Over 60 Victim Losses Past 3 Years
15
Non-Payment/Non-Delivery
Elderly victims filed almost 8,000 Non-Payment/Non-Delivery complaints
experiencing losses over $51 million in 2022, making Non-Delivery of products the
second most reported fraud among the elderly.
More elderly people are joining social media outlets to connect with others. The
combination of online shopping and social media creates easy venues for scammers
to post false advertisements. Many victims report ordering items from links
advertised on social media and either receiving nothing at all or receiving something completely unlike
the advertised item.
Cryptocurrency
In 2022, the IC3 received almost 10,000 complaints from victims over 60 involving
the use of some type of cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or
Ripple. Losses of these victims totaled over $1 billion.
Cryptocurrency is becoming a preferred payment method for all types of scams –
SIM Swaps, Tech/Customer Support fraud, Employment schemes, Romance scams,
and even some Auction fraud. It is extremely pervasive in Investment scams, where
losses can reach into the hundreds of thousands of dollars per victim.
The largest losses among
victims over 60 are
cryptocurrency-related
Investment scams, which
accounts for approximately
66% of all losses related to
cryptocurrency for this age
group. Call Center fraud, such
as Tech and Customer Support
scams and Government
Impersonation, are second
with approximately 15% of
losses associated to
cryptocurrency.
The IC3 published multiple
PSAs depicting how
cryptocurrency is exploited in
frauds and scams, particularly
the use of cryptocurrency
ATMs, crypto investments, and crypto support impersonations.
6
6
6
See Appendix D: Referenced Publications
Over 60 Losses Reporting Cryptocurrency Past 3 Years
2022
2021
2020
16
VICTIM OVER 60 LOSSES WITH A CRYPTOCURRENCY NEXUS
Crime Type
Loss
Crime Type
Loss
Investment
$716,466,087
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
$3,517,513
Tech Support
$166,138,710
Other
$3,479,107
Confidence/Romance
$93,483,020
Extortion
$3,461,352
Personal Data Breach
$58,734,792
Employment
$956,324
Government Impersonation
$19,955,542
Overpayment
$499,037
SIM Swap
$11,211,168
BEC
$465,534
Phishing
$5,603,806
Malware
$69,963
Spoofing
$5,315,101
Harassment/Stalking
$51,240
Advanced Fee
$4,902,036
Ransomware
$37,500
Real Estate
$4,590,165
Threats of Violence
$21,769
Credit Card/Check Fraud
$4,560,408
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
$3,135
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
$4,526,507
Crimes Against Children
$1,300
Identity Theft
$3,816,394
Botnet
$0
Data Breach
$3,622,102
VICTIMS OVER 60 WITH A CRYPTOCURRENCY NEXUS
Crime Type
Victims
Crime Type
Victims
Investment
3,292
Lottery/Sweepstakes/Inheritance
57
Tech Support
2,076
Employment
50
Extortion
1,963
Ransomware
36
Confidence/Romance
810
Overpayment
30
Personal Data Breach
792
BEC
16
Government Impersonation
223
Real Estate
15
Spoofing
178
Data Breach
9
Advanced Fee
175
Malware
9
Credit Card/Check Fraud
144
Harassment/Stalking
6
Phishing
140
IPR/Copyright and Counterfeit
5
Non-payment/Non-Delivery
134
Threats of Violence
3
SIM Swap
98
Botnet
2
Identity Theft
97
Crimes Against Children
1
Other
71
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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 Fraud: 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 complainant’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.
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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 steals and uses personal identifying information, like a name or Social
Security number, without permission to commit fraud or other crimes and/or (account takeover) a
fraudster obtains account information to perpetrate fraud on existing accounts.
Investment: Deceptive practice that induces investors to make purchases based on false information.
These scams usually offer the victims 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: 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.
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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.
Spoofing: Contact information (phone number, email, and website) is deliberately falsified to mislead
and appear to be from a legitimate source. For example, spoofed phone numbers making mass robo-
calls; spoofed emails sending mass spam; or, forged websites used to mislead and gather personal
information. Often used in connection with other crime types.
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.
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APPENDIX B: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT IC3 DATA
• Each complaint is reviewed by an IC3 analyst. The analyst categorizes the complaint according to
the crime type(s) that are appropriate. Additionally, the analyst will adjust the loss amount if the
complaint data does not support the loss amount reported.
• One complaint may have multiple crime types.
• 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.
• Victim is identified as the individual filing a complaint.
• Subject is identified as the individual perpetrating the scam as reported by the victim.
• “Count by Subject per state” is the number of subjects per state, as reported by victims.
• “Subject earnings per Destination State” is the amount swindled by the subject, as reported by the
victim, per state.
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APPENDIX C: TIPS FOR PROTECTION
• Recognize scam attempts and end all communication with the perpetrator.
• Search online for the contact information (name, email, phone number, addresses) and the
proposed offer. Other people have likely posted information online about individuals and
businesses trying to run scams.
• Resist the pressure to act quickly. Scammers create a sense of urgency to produce fear and lure
victims into immediate action. Call the police immediately if you feel there is a danger to yourself
or a loved one.
• Be cautious of unsolicited phone calls, mailings, and door-to-door service offers.
• Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or
wire information to unverified people or businesses.
• Make sure all computer anti-virus and security software and malware protections are up to date.
Use reputable anti-virus software and firewalls.
• Disconnect from the internet and shut down your device if you see a pop-up message or locked
screen. Pop-ups are regularly used by perpetrators to spread malicious software. Enable pop-up
blockers to avoid accidentally clicking on a pop-up.
• Legitimate customer, security, or tech support companies will not initiate unsolicited contact with
individuals; nor, demand immediate payment or require payment via prepaid cards, wire transfers,
cryptocurrency, or mailed cash.
• Never give unknown, unverified persons remote access to devices or accounts.
• Be careful what you download. Never open an email attachment from someone you do not know
and be wary of email attachments forwarded to you.
• Take precautions to protect your identity if a criminal gains access to your device or account.
Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor
your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.
• Legitimate lotteries and beneficiaries do not need to pay upfront taxes and fees to claim a prize or
inheritance. Playing foreign lotteries in any form is a violation of federal law.
• Be careful what you post and make public online. Scammers can use details shared on social media
and dating sites to better understand and target you.
• Government or law enforcement officials will not demand payment by cryptocurrency, prepaid
cards, wire transfers, or overnight mailed cash, nor contact a subject by phone to notify they are
under investigation.
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APPENDIX D: REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | FBI Warns of the Impersonation of Law Enforcement and
Government Officials, published 03/07/2022.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Technical and Customer Support Fraud, published 03/16/2022.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Cryptocurrency Investment Schemes, published 10/03/2022.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | The FBI Warns of Fraudulent Schemes Leveraging
Cryptocurrency ATMs and QR Codes to Facilitate Payment, published 11/04/2021.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) | Scammers Using Computer-Technical Support Impersonation
Scams to Target Victims and Conduct Wire Transfers, published 11/10/2022.
Inside the FBI Podcast: Hanging Up on Tech Support Scams — FBI, published 11/22/2022.