Interpol’s Cyber unit battles criminal networks ‘Weaponising’ artificial intelligence

09:30

By: Sahili Aya

Interpol’s Cyber unit battles criminal networks ‘Weaponising’ artificial intelligence

At the Interpol Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore, analysts monitor vast streams of digital intelligence as criminal networks increasingly deploy artificial intelligence to scale up cyberattacks.

From highly convincing phishing emails free of spelling errors to deepfake videos impersonating public officials, AI tools are reshaping the landscape of cybercrime. According to officials based at the Singapore hub, criminal syndicates are integrating AI into fraud schemes, ransomware campaigns and identity theft operations at an unprecedented pace.

A high-tech nerve centre in Singapore

The facility operates as Interpol’s second headquarters after Lyon, France. Located near the Singapore Botanic Gardens, the complex houses the Cyber Fusion Centre, where intelligence on online threats is shared among 196 member countries.

Inside the operations rooms, specialists analyse millions of data points — including suspicious IP addresses, malware signatures and hacker aliases — to detect patterns and disrupt emerging threats. A command-and-coordination centre tracks global cyber developments in real time during Asian hours, ensuring around-the-clock oversight.

Investigators say the “sheer volume” of cyberattacks has become one of their biggest concerns. AI-powered tools now allow even low-skilled offenders to purchase ready-made hacking kits on underground marketplaces. With smartphones ubiquitous worldwide, virtually anyone can become a target.

The rise of aI-driven crime

Officials warn that criminal groups structured like multinational corporations are leveraging AI to automate scams and improve the credibility of fraudulent communications. Voice cloning and synthetic video technology are increasingly used to promote fake investments or impersonate executives and government figures.

The dark web functions as a marketplace where stolen data, malware services and espionage tools are bought and sold. Analysts stress that understanding this ecosystem is critical to staying ahead in what they describe as a constant “cat-and-mouse” game.

To bolster its response, Interpol works closely with private-sector partners in cybersecurity, finance and cryptocurrency tracking. Such collaborations aim to enhance intelligence-sharing and speed up the identification of illicit financial flows linked to cybercrime.

Coordinated global operations

In recent operations across Asia and Africa, Interpol has coordinated multinational efforts to dismantle thousands of malicious digital infrastructures and arrest large numbers of suspects involved in online fraud and data theft. These crackdowns have led to the seizure of millions of dollars and the shutdown of tens of thousands of harmful domains and IP addresses.

Beyond enforcement, experts at the Singapore centre are exploring the use of advanced technologies — including virtual reality, augmented reality and quantum computing applications — to strengthen digital forensics capabilities.

Ethical and legal challenges ahead

Officials also acknowledge emerging dilemmas surrounding AI accountability. As technology grows more autonomous, determining responsibility becomes increasingly complex. Questions arise over whether liability should fall on developers, users or intermediaries when AI-driven tools are misused.

Despite the sophistication of their operations, much of Interpol’s cyber work remains confidential. Analysts emphasise that preventing major ransomware attacks or dismantling global scam networks often happens behind the scenes.

In an era where artificial intelligence can be both a tool for innovation and a weapon for crime, the battle unfolding inside Interpol’s Singapore war rooms illustrates how global law enforcement is adapting to a rapidly evolving digital threat landscape.