The year 2022, a time of global economic uncertainty and soaring inflation rates, was a boon for an unlikely group – cybercriminals. A significant shift in victim demographics unfolded, with individuals aged 30-39 most impacted by cybercrime, a first since 2015. According to research from cybersecurity titan Surfshark, based on FBI reports, this age group experienced a stark rise in cybercrime victims, leaping from 88.4k in 2021 to a staggering 94.5k in 2022.

Previously, senior citizens had long held the unfortunate distinction of being the most susceptible to cybercrime. Between 2016 and 2021, the over-60 age bracket accounted for the highest number of victims, peaking at 92.4k in 2021. However, 2022 witnessed a reduction, with 88.3k victims, allowing the thirty-somethings to overtake their older counterparts. The under-twenties age group has consistently been least affected by cybercrimes since 2015, a trend that carried on through last year.

Amid the backdrop of this troubling cyber landscape, Surfshark’s spokeswoman, Gabriele Racaityte-Krasauske, warns, “Last year, 801k people fell victim to a cybercrime, which resulted in a total of ten billion dollars in losses. Because of how lucrative cybercrime is, there’s no reason to think cybercriminals will stop striking anytime soon.”

The data underscores the need for increased vigilance and a robust cybersecurity defense for individuals and businesses. However, the rapidly changing face of cybercrime necessitates a deeper understanding of the most common cybercrimes and their economic impact.

According to the Surfshark report, phishing continued as the most common cybercrime in 2022, ensnaring 300k victims globally. It was closely followed by online payment fraud (63k victims), extortion (39k victims), tech support scams (33k victims), and investment fraud (31k victims).

But frequency doesn’t always equate to financial damage. The study revealed investment fraud as the most financially devastating cybercrime, with an average loss of 108k USD per victim. Confidence fraud, such as romance fraud, came in second, costing the average victim 39k USD, followed by SIM swapping, DDoS attacks, tech support scams, and government impersonation scams.

In a worrisome trend, the total money stolen by cybercriminals since 2001 has swelled to an alarming 36.4 billion USD, and yearly losses have only escalated over this period. The year 2022 saw a record-breaking theft of 10.3 billion USD, an astronomical rise from 6.9 billion in 2021 and 4.2 billion in 2020.

Surfshark developed the “Data Vulnerability Thermometer,” an innovative online tool that leverages open-source FBI data and advanced research algorithms in response to the escalating number of cybercrimes. Users can calculate their risk score, identify potential cybercrimes, and obtain preventive measures tailored to their personal data points.

The Data Vulnerability Thermometer includes descriptions, typologies, tips, and statistics for 20 internet crimes targeted at individual users. Additionally, users can delve into in-depth coverage of cybercrime trends and patterns, view global cybercrime density statistics, and gain insights into the financial impact and yearly growth of cybercrime costs.

To learn more about these trends, assess your risk, and arm yourself against potential threats, visit Surfshark’s Data Breach Impact Statistics.

In a world increasingly reliant on digital connectivity, awareness, preparedness, and action are vital in staying ahead of these nefarious cybercriminals. This shift in the victim demographic from seniors to thirty-somethings is a wake-up call for everyone to up their cybersecurity game.

Written by: Kevin Hall

===================================