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Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the landscape of cybercrime across Asia, according to warnings issued by Interpol’s cybercrime chief, Neal Jetton. His concerns stem from a recent Interpol cyberthreat report that highlights the alarming growth of cybercrime in the region. The report indicates that cybercrime now constitutes more than 30 percent of all recorded crimes in over half of the countries surveyed across Asia and the South Pacific. This surge is attributed largely to the integration of AI technologies by criminal networks, which have allowed them to enhance the scale, scope, and efficiency of existing crimes.

The report, based on responses from 18 member countries and intelligence gathered from private-sector partners, identifies online scams, phishing, and ransomware as the most prevalent threats in the region. It further notes a significant increase in AI-enabled deepfake scams, industrial-scale fraud operations, and infostealer malware campaigns. These developments underscore the evolving nature of cybercrime, where traditional methods are being augmented by advanced technological tools that make it easier for criminals to deceive victims and evade detection.

According to data from cybersecurity firm Trend Micro, one of Interpol’s private-sector partners, more than 6.5 billion cyberthreats were detected and blocked across Asia and the South Pacific in 2024. Additionally, over 135,000 ransomware attacks were recorded in the same period, targeting various sectors including manufacturing, real estate, and financial services. The report also reveals that approximately 5.5 out of every 1,000 individuals clicked on phishing links each month—roughly double the global average—with cloud-based applications being the primary targets.

The use of AI in cybercrime is particularly evident in the rise of deepfake technology, which has seen a dramatic increase in discussions within cybercriminal forums and Telegram channels used by Southeast Asian threat actors. Discussions around deepfakes surged by 600 percent between February and June 2024, indicating a growing trend in the misuse of AI for deceptive purposes. Interpol has warned that organized crime groups are increasingly incorporating AI into their cyber-enabled operations across Southeast Asia, including large-scale scam compounds that exploit both victims and trafficked workers.

Neal Jetton describes this evolution as the "industrialisation of cybercrime." He explains that the barriers to committing cybercrimes have significantly lowered due to the availability of AI tools, which allow even non-experts to generate highly convincing phishing emails and impersonate public officials or company executives. The digitization of society, characterized by widespread smartphone ownership, social media presence, and online banking usage, has expanded the pool of potential victims, making everyone susceptible to cyberattacks.

While the report primarily focuses on Asia and the South Pacific, Jetton emphasizes that phishing and online scams are now among the most common forms of cybercrime globally. He acknowledges that industrial-scale scam operations in parts of Southeast Asia have become a significant contributor to the region's cybercrime problem. Countries such as Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and the Philippines are identified as hotspots for these activities, highlighting the need for coordinated international efforts to combat the issue effectively.

In parallel, financial institutions are also exploring the benefits of AI in enhancing their operations. For instance, HSBC has partnered with Google Cloud to build its artificial intelligence capabilities, aiming to automate tasks and improve financial crime risk management. This collaboration underscores the broader trend of organizations leveraging AI to enhance security and operational efficiency amid rising cyber threats. As banks and other entities adopt AI-driven solutions, the balance between innovation and protection becomes increasingly critical in the fight against cybercrime.