For many scam victims, the moment of realisation comes only after the money has left their account. A convincing phone call ends. An urgent bank transfer is completed. Then the warning signs become clear. While many people believe stolen money is gone forever, the FBI says that is not always the case.
New figures from the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report show the agency froze $679 million in fraudulent transfers before the money reached criminals. Officials say quick reporting gives victims the best chance of recovering their funds. The figures highlight the value of acting immediately after discovering a scam, particularly when the payment was made by bank transfer.
