Canada Scam & Fraud Statistics
Canadians reported more than $704 million in fraud losses to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre in 2025, though the CAFC estimates only 5–10% of incidents are ever reported.
Last reviewed: 7 July 2026
Canada's Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (CAFC) publishes annual statistics drawn from voluntary public reports. Its most recent tally covers 2025, when Canadians reported more than $704 million in losses across over 112,000 fraud reports, with investment fraud again the costliest category by dollar loss.\n\nBecause reporting rates are very low — the CAFC estimates only 5–10% of incidents are ever reported — official figures capture only a fraction of true losses. Figures below come from the CAFC's Top 10 Frauds in 2025 summary and its 2024 Annual Statistical Report, released via the Government of Canada. All dollar amounts are Canadian dollars unless noted.
Key figures
More than $704 million in reported losses
Total reported fraud losses in 2025
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Top 10 Frauds in 2025 (2025)
Over 112,000 fraud reports
Total fraud reports received by CAFC in 2025
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Top 10 Frauds in 2025 (2025)
$351 M lost across 4,409 reports and 3,867 victims
Investment fraud losses in 2025 — still the costliest category by dollar loss
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Top 10 Frauds in 2025 (2025)
$63.3 M lost across 1,093 reports and 933 victims
Relationship (romance) fraud losses in 2025
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Top 10 Frauds in 2025 (2025)
$50.6 M lost across 2,148 reports and 1,726 victims
Job scam losses in 2025
Source: Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Top 10 Frauds in 2025 (2025)
CAD $643.7 million
Total reported fraud losses in 2024
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
108,878 reports
Total fraud reports received by CAFC in 2024
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
CAD $313 million (49% of total reported losses)
Investment fraud losses — the costliest category for the fifth consecutive year
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
5–10%
Estimated share of incidents that are actually reported
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
$15,028 CAD average loss (over 34,000 individual victims reported)
Average dollar loss per individual fraud victim in 2024
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
40.3% of overall dollar loss reported to CAFC
Share of 2024 dollar losses borne by seniors aged 60 and above
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
$23,815 CAD average per transaction (investment, job and romance scams)
Average loss per cryptocurrency-payment fraud transaction
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
26.1% increase in dollar loss associated with e-Transfer payments
Growth in e-Transfer fraud dollar losses after May 2024 daily-limit increase
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
98.8% increase in dollar loss from direct deposit payments, despite a 4.6% drop in payment count
Direct deposit fraud: fewer payments, much bigger dollar losses
Source: CAFC 2024 Annual Statistical Report (2024)
Key takeaways
- Investment fraud accounted for nearly half of all reported dollar losses in Canada in 2024, making it the single costliest fraud type for the fifth year running.
- The CAFC's $643.7 million figure is almost certainly a severe undercount — the agency itself estimates only 5–10% of fraud is ever reported.
- Cyber-enabled fraud (online or technology-assisted) made up 75% of the reported dollar losses, reflecting the growing role of digital channels in fraud.
Frequently asked questions
How much money did Canadians lose to fraud in 2024?
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre recorded $643.7 million CAD in reported losses in 2024. The CAFC estimates this represents only 5–10% of actual fraud, meaning the true total is likely many times higher.
What is the most common fraud type in Canada?
By dollar value, investment fraud is the costliest category, accounting for roughly 49% of reported losses in 2024 — a position it has held for five consecutive years.