In 2025, cryptocurrency scammers set a new record by stealing approximately $17 billion, the highest figure recorded to date.
This is reported by Finway
Sharp Increase in Identity Fraud and AI Usage
According to Chainalysis analytics, the majority of losses were caused by identity fraud schemes. The influx of funds into such fraudulent operations increased by 1400% over the year. The average payment made by victims rose from $782 to $2764. These figures indicate a significant complication and expansion of fraudulent activities in the cryptocurrency sector.
“Schemes involving AI tools averaged $3.2 million per operation compared to $719,000 in traditional types of fraud. This makes them 4.5 times more profitable, experts noted.”
Criminal networks are increasingly using phishing as a service, deepfakes, artificial intelligence tools, and professional money laundering channels, significantly lowering the barriers for conducting mass attacks. AI-based technologies allow for significantly higher profits: on average, each such fraudulent operation generated $3.2 million, which is 4.5 times higher than the revenues from traditional schemes.
The Geography of Crypto Crime and Countermeasures
Chainalysis analysts identified persistent criminal connections in East and Southeast Asia. In particular, cases were recorded in Cambodia and Myanmar where victims of human trafficking were forced to participate in cryptocurrency fraud operations.
Despite the rise in criminal activity, countermeasures were strengthened in 2025. Law enforcement agencies managed to seize at least $14 billion, including through large-scale confiscations in the United Kingdom and investigations into transnational criminal organizations.
Analysts predict that the total amount of stolen funds for 2025 may still increase as new evidence of illegal activity emerges. It is expected that in 2026, scammers will even more actively combine artificial intelligence, social engineering, and complex financial instruments to commit crimes.