New data from the FBI and Federal Trade Commission shows Minnesotans lost $84 million in 2021 to online scams.
MINNEAPOLIS — It’s no secret that online scams have been around for awhile.
But new data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Trade Commission shows that victims are being conned out of more cash than ever before.
The new State of Internet Scams 2022 study was recently released and said the data shows $6.9 billion was lost to online scams in 2021, up from $3.5 billion in 2019.
“Ten years ago if someone had told me anyone can be a victim of cyber crime, anyone can have this happen to them, more or less, I would have laughed at them,” said TCE Strategy CEO Bryce Austin. The Lakeville-based business teaches companies about cyber security. Austin says internet scams, including ransomware, are growing.
“More and more people are online and as you have more folks who come into this online world, without understanding people anywhere can go after you, people don’t assume malicious intent,” said Austin.
The data also found that 5,844 Minnesotans lost a total of $84 million last year, which is up from $58 in 2020. It also reports that the average person was tricked out of $14,123 a piece last year.
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