Americans Lost an Estimated $68 Billion to Scams in 2025
Gallup & Stop Scams Alliance | A national study reveals the staggering financial and emotional toll of scams on Americans, including losses that far exceed what is reported to federal authorities.
FTC Report: Protecting Older Consumers 2025–2026
Federal Trade Commission | Scams and fraud target all ages, but hit consumers over 60 particularly hard. In its annual report to Congress, the FTC estimates the overall cost of fraud to older adults in 2025 could be as high as $119.5 billion.
2026 BioCatch Global Scams Report
BioCatch | Based on data from more than 370 financial institutions, the 2026 Global Scams report focuses on the elements behind the continued growth of the scam industry.
Mapping Global Expansion of Chinese-speaking Scam Syndicates, 2010–2026
Humanity Research Consultancy | A chronological overview of Chinese-speaking scam syndicates exposes the transformation and geographic reach of their operations since 2010.
Chinese-origin Scam Syndicates Reach into South Asia
Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime | India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are seeing a significant increase in trafficking, forced criminality, and Chinese-origin scam operations.
Digital Arrest: A Psychological Perspective
Frontiers in Psychology | Abstract: In digital arrest fraud, criminals impersonate authorities to falsely claim the right to arrest a target through digital means and put them under house arrest.
Imperfect Victims: Trafficking Survivors of the Online Scam Industry
Blue Dragon | A report examines the experience of Chinese and Vietnamese victims of trafficking into scam compounds. Survivors are seen as offenders, even if it was forced through violence, coercion, and exploitation.
Scambook: How Meta helps Medicare scammers target seniors
Center for Countering Digital Hate | How Meta profited at least $12 million in a single year from ads promoting Medicare Advantage scams — and how government policies need to change.
The State of Mule Account Handovers in 2026
Incognia | How money mule activity involving account handover is escalating — and what financial institutions must do to detect it, stop it, and stay compliant.
2025 FBI Internet Crime Report
According to the FBI, internet crime losses exceeded $20.9 billion in 2025, a 26% increase over 2024. Investment-related fraud had the highest losses, followed by business email compromise, and tech support scams.
2026 Global Financial Crime Report
Nasdaq Verafin | Global financial crime reached an estimated $4.4 trillion in 2025. Illicit financial activity has jumped by $1.3 trillion since 2023, significantly outpacing global GDP growth.
The Scam Compounds Brief
Humanity Research Consultancy | The Scam Compounds Brief is an evidence-based report on scam compounds and trafficking–fraud networks.
The Structural Technology Gap in American Law Enforcement
Criminal networks are quick to apply new technology — like AI — to activities such as scams and fraud. Meanwhile, law enforcement faces 10- to 15-year implementation timelines.
Inside Palau’s Hotel Scam Centers
OCCRP | When police raided hotel sites in Palau, they encountered scenes that looked much like those inside the scam compounds in Myanmar and Southeast Asia.
The Coin Laundry: A Global Cryptocurrency Investigation
ICIJ | Crypto businesses have empowered a shadow economy that profits from crime. Meanwhile, scam victims have little hope of justice or recovering stolen money.
Trafficking of East Africans into Scam Operations
Freedom Collaborative | A new report documents how East African nationals are being deceived and forced into criminal activity within Southeast Asia’s scam industry.
Banks that Identify Fraudsters Increase Customer Loyalty
University of Notre Dame | When banks can provide details about fraudulent activity, customers are more likely to stay. In fact, 62% fewer leave compared with those who hadn’t experienced fraud.
Researchers Used AI to Create a Phishing Scam
Reuters | Reuters asked AI chatbots to draft e-mail messages for a phishing scam targeting older people. The results show how scammers can use AI to conduct fraud.