FBI’s 2023 Internet Crime Report Reveals Alaskans Suffered Losses Exceeding $31 Million

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) unveiled its 2023 Internet Crime Report along with detailed state breakdowns, showing a concerning trend in cybercrime affecting Alaskans. With over 880,000 complaints nationwide, totaling potential losses of $12.5 billion, the report underscores the growing threat of online scams and fraud.

Alaska’s portion of the report reveals a staggering figure: residents filed more than 2,300 complaints with losses surpassing $31 million, marking a significant spike of nearly $15 million compared to the previous year. The impact spanned across all age groups, with the state’s senior population bearing the brunt of reported losses.

Among the myriad of internet crimes reported, three schemes stood out as particularly costly for Alaskans:

1. Business Email Compromise (BEC): This sophisticated scam targets businesses and individuals involved in wire transfer payments. By compromising email accounts and other communication channels, fraudsters manipulate victims into unauthorized fund transfers, resulting in losses totaling $12.2 million.
2. Investment Fraud: Deceptive practices lure investors with false promises of high returns and low risk. Victims, often targeted in retirement or 401K schemes, reported losses amounting to $6.6 million.
3. Confidence/Romance Fraud: Perpetrated through social media or dating platforms, victims are duped into believing they’re in a genuine relationship, only to be swindled out of money or personal information. This scheme accounted for losses of $2.8 million.

The report serves not only as a testament to the prevalence of internet crimes but also as a resource for prevention and protection. The FBI urges victims to report suspected internet crimes to IC3 at www.ic3.gov, the primary platform for reporting cybercrimes nationwide.

IC3’s mission is twofold: to provide a reliable reporting mechanism for internet crimes and to forge effective partnerships with law enforcement and industry stakeholders to combat cyber threats. Information gathered through reports aids in both investigative efforts and public awareness campaigns.

For those seeking further information or assistance, resources such as IC3 Annual Reports and FBI’s Scams and Safety guidelines offer invaluable insights into recognizing and thwarting common cyber threats.