According to the FBI, $20.88 billion was lost in 2025 due to AI-enabled cybercrime, and it’s on the rise. Cybercriminals are maintaining well-coordinated, targeted operations that include both investment-related fraud and business email compromise (BEC), where the majority of losses occurred. But more concerning is that the FBI discovered hackers are using AI to target victims. They received more than 22,000 complaints in this category alone, with losses exceeding $800 million.
AI presents an opportunity for cybercriminals to develop scams at a higher rate than ever. As AI tools become more advanced, the risks of cyberattacks are increasing. Security teams must be prepared to protect their environments where these bad actors can create convincing scams with AI prompts.
These scams are so elaborate that traditional methods of detection for websites, social media profiles, and even conversations can be deceiving. In 2025, businesses reported over $30 million through BEC scams alone involving AI.
A hacker can use a chatbot to create an email impersonating a company’s CEO to get an employee to click on a phishing link. They can also use AI to clone someone’s voice, make calls to employees, and pressure them into making wire payments.
In a BEC attack, a hacker can use a chatbot like ChatGPT to create an email impersonating a company’s CEO to try to trick the recipient into clicking a phishing link. Likewise, hackers can use voice cloning technology to make calls to unsuspecting employees and pressure them into making wire payments.
That’s why it’s so important for companies to double down on security awareness training, patching software, and mitigating environmental vulnerabilities.
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Source: Forbes, FBI Reports $20.8 Billion Lost To Cybercrime As Hackers Turn To AI
