The FBI recovered or froze $679 million in fraudulent bank transfers during 2025, underscoring how quickly reporting a scam can improve the chances of getting stolen money back. According to the bureau's latest Internet Crime Report, investigators intercepted more than half of the eligible transfers before the funds reached criminals.
The report found that victims nationwide reported about $1.2 billion in attempted theft that qualified for the FBI's financial recovery process. Of that amount, the agency successfully froze $679 million, representing a 58% success rate for eligible transactions.
The FBI said its recovery effort focuses primarily on fraudulent wire transfers. Investigators work with banks and financial institutions to identify suspicious transactions and stop funds before they reach accounts controlled by scammers. While recovery is not guaranteed, officials said acting quickly can make a significant difference.
The report also highlighted the impact of cybercrime in Utah. Residents filed 9,903 cybercrime complaints during 2025, reporting losses of more than $195 million.
Robert Bohls, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Salt Lake City Field Office, told KSL that many victims mistakenly believe nothing can be done after money has been transferred. Speaking with KSL Investigator Matt Gephardt, Bohls said investigators work directly with banks to trace fraudulent transfers and freeze funds before criminals can access them.
Bohls also shared updated figures for 2026, saying approximately $19 million in suspected fraudulent transfers had been reported in the Salt Lake City area so far this year. Of that amount, investigators had recovered about $16 million.
The FBI said victims should contact their bank immediately after realizing they have been scammed, then notify their local FBI office and file a complaint through the Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov. Bohls said reporting the fraud within 48 hours offers the best chance of stopping the transfer before the money moves through additional accounts or overseas.
Bohls also urged victims not to let embarrassment prevent them from reporting scams. He told KSL that investigators are focused on helping victims recover their money rather than judging how the fraud occurred, adding that delays can significantly reduce the chances of recovering stolen funds.
