Nigeria ranks among top 20 countries in global cybercrime complaints: FBI report

The recent release of the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report places Nigeria among the top 20 countries globally for cybercrime complaints, a statistic that warrants serious attention. While the report highlights a global surge in online criminal activities, with billions lost to cyber-enabled fraud, Nigeria's inclusion underscores the pervasive nature of these threats within our digital landscape.

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a total of 1,008,597 complaints were received in 2025, with $20.877 billion in total losses and a 26% increase in losses from 2024.

The FBI's Internet Complaint Center (IC3) received over a million complaints in 2025, with losses escalating to over $20 billion. This alarming figure, a 26% increase from the previous year, demonstrates the growing sophistication and reach of cybercriminals. The report specifically notes that cyber-enabled fraud, encompassing various forms of online deception and theft, is the primary driver of these financial hemorrhages.

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cyber-enabled fraud accounted for almost 85% of all losses in 2025, with 452,868 complaints, resulting in $17,697,074,980 in losses.

For Nigeria, this ranking is a stark reminder of the challenges we face in combating cybercrime. While the report provides valuable data for international law enforcement cooperation, it also necessitates a robust domestic response. Enhancing cybersecurity infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and strengthening investigative capabilities are crucial steps to mitigate these risks and protect our citizens and economy from the escalating threat of online fraud.

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IC3 received complaints from more than 200 countries in 2025, which account for almost $1.6 billion of the overall 2025 losses.