"Investment scams are now the fifth most common type of fraud in the US, with more than 66,700 reports during the first half of 2025, according to broker comparison site Broker Chooser. Over that period, unsuspecting victims lost a total of $3.5 billion to such fraud. Scammers earned a whopping $939 million in cryptocurrency, a rise of $261 million from the same period in 2024."
"Savvy crooks who try to pull off this type of fraud know they can exploit people eager to make a quick buck. With that in mind, the median loss for these crimes reached $10,000 during the first half of this year, up from $9,300 for all of 2024. That's the highest median amount among scams recorded by Broker Chooser and 376% higher than the second-highest median loss of $2,100 from business and job scams."
"People in certain states seem especially susceptible to investment scams. For the first half of 2025, Nevada topped the list with 211 reports for every one million residents, resulting in a total loss of more than $40.4 million. In second place was Arizona with 202 reports per million residents and total losses of more than $95.1 million. Florida took third place with 185 reports per one million people and losses of more than $241 million."
Online investment scams generated $3.5 billion in reported victim losses during the first half of 2025, with scammers receiving $939 million in cryptocurrency, up $261 million from 2024. There were more than 66,700 reports and a median loss of $10,000, the highest median among scam categories and far above the $2,100 median for business and job scams. Nevada, Arizona, and Florida recorded the highest reports per million residents and significant total losses. Common tactics include friendly unsolicited messages via text or social media and long-term romance-style approaches known as "pig butchering." Recognize warning signs and avoid pressured, unsolicited investment offers.
Read at ZDNET
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