In Singapore, artificial intelligence is reshaping the global fight against cybercrime, as Interpol strengthens its high-tech operations to counter increasingly sophisticated digital threats.
From flawlessly written phishing emails to deepfake videos of government officials promoting fraudulent investments, AI has become a powerful weapon in the hands of cybercriminal syndicates. These groups operate much like multinational corporations, using advanced tools to target individuals, corporations, and even governments for billions of dollars.
Neal Jetton, Interpol’s Singapore-based director of cybercrime, described the weaponization of AI as the most serious threat currently facing global law enforcement. Jetton, who is seconded to Interpol from the United States Secret Service, warned that criminals are exploiting AI in every possible way to scale their operations.
Inside Interpol’s Global Complex for Innovation — located near the Singapore Botanic Gardens — specialists analyze massive volumes of data to prevent ransomware attacks, impersonation scams, and other online crimes. The facility serves as Interpol’s second headquarters after Lyon, France.
The complex houses the Cyber Fusion Centre, which facilitates intelligence-sharing among Interpol’s 196 member countries. It also includes units dedicated to emerging cyber threats, digital forensics laboratories capable of extracting data from phones, laptops, and even vehicles, and a command-and-coordination center that monitors global cyber developments in real time.
Christian Heggen, coordinator of the Cyber Intelligence Unit, said investigators are confronting a vast black market ecosystem. Criminal networks buy and sell malware, trade stolen data, and develop creative attack methods using multiple vectors. According to Heggen, understanding this underground economy is critical to disrupting it.
AI tools now enable even low-skilled criminals to access ready-made hacking kits on the dark web. Voice cloning and deepfake technology allow scammers to impersonate well-known figures convincingly, making fraudulent messages and investment schemes appear legitimate. Jetton expressed particular concern over the sheer volume of attacks, noting that the number of targets continues to grow as more people rely on smartphones and digital services.
To enhance its capabilities, Interpol partners with private companies in finance, cybersecurity, and cryptocurrency analysis. This collaboration helps provide real-time intelligence and technical support in what officials describe as a constant “cat-and-mouse” game with criminals.
Recent operations coordinated from Singapore highlight the scale of the challenge. “Operation Secure” in Asia involved 26 countries and resulted in the dismantling of more than 20,000 malicious IP addresses and domains linked to data theft syndicates. Meanwhile, “Operation Serengeti 2.0,” conducted across Africa, led to the arrest of 1,209 cybercriminals targeting nearly 88,000 victims. Authorities recovered over $97 million and dismantled more than 11,000 malicious infrastructures.
Interpol also played a supporting role in efforts to crack down on online scam centers operating in parts of Southeast Asia by facilitating intelligence-sharing and capacity building.
Toshinobu Yasuhira, head of the Innovation Centre and an officer seconded from Japan’s National Police Agency, highlighted growing concerns over deepfake advancements. However, he also raised deeper ethical questions about AI’s future.
“Should we arrest the people who program AI, those who use it, or the AI itself?” Yasuhira asked, pointing to the complex legal and moral dilemmas emerging as AI systems become more autonomous.
At the digital forensics lab, experts such as Paulo Noronha of Brazil’s Federal Police demonstrate advanced investigative tools, including developments involving virtual reality, augmented reality, and even quantum technologies aimed at staying ahead of cybercriminals.
Despite operating largely behind the scenes, Interpol’s cybercrime teams play a critical role in global security. Intelligence analysts emphasize the importance of confidentiality while providing operational support to investigations worldwide.
As AI continues to evolve, so too does the battlefield — making the work carried out in Singapore’s cybercrime command centers increasingly vital to international law enforcement efforts.
