The FBI investigates federal crimes and major threats to public safety, national security, and civil rights. Common areas include terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, public corruption, white-collar crime, violent crime, hate crimes, and human trafficking.

Common FBI cases

  • Terrorism and threats to national security.
  • Cybercrime, including hacking, fraud, and identity theft.
  • Organized crime and racketeering.
  • Public corruption, including bribery and election-related fraud.
  • White-collar crime such as money laundering, embezzlement, and corporate fraud.
  • Violent crimes, including kidnapping and crimes against children.
  • Civil rights violations, hate crimes, and human trafficking.

When the FBI gets involved

The FBI usually handles cases that cross state lines, involve federal law, or are too serious or complex for local agencies alone. It also works on matters tied to national security or large-scale criminal enterprises. In practice, that means the Bureau often steps in when a case has broader public impact than a typical local crime.

Simple way to think about it

Local police handle most ordinary crimes, while the FBI focuses on crimes with a federal, interstate, or national-security angle. A bank robbery, a ransomware attack, or a human trafficking ring is much more likely to draw FBI attention than a small local dispute.

TL;DR

The FBI investigates serious federal crimes like terrorism, cybercrime, organized crime, corruption, fraud, violent crimes, hate crimes, and human trafficking.