INTERPOL Asia update: cybercrime threats continue to rise across Asia-Pacific

INTERPOL’s latest Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report highlights a significant increase in cybercrime across the region. This article examines the report’s key findings, emerging cyber threats, the growing role of international law enforcement cooperation and what these developments may mean for individuals and businesses.

INTERPOL reports significant rise in cybercrime across Asia-Pacific

We have previously written extensively about INTERPOL’s developments and initiatives designed to strengthen its ability to combat transnational financial crime, cybercrime and asset recovery. This reflects the growing challenges posed by technological developments, including cryptocurrency-related crime, cyber-enabled fraud and increasingly sophisticated international criminal networks.

We have also recently examined INTERPOL’s activities across China, Africa and South-East Asia. These developments have included enhanced cooperation between law enforcement agencies, the expansion of cybercrime initiatives and the growing use of the INTERPOL Silver Notice.

Most recently, we reported on developments in Singapore, where INTERPOL continues to expand its presence amid rising cybercrime concerns across the region. We also examined increasing cooperation between Chinese and UK law enforcement authorities, a Singapore-led operation resulting in approximately USD 15.5 million in seizures and reports suggesting Indonesia is emerging as a new hub for transnational criminal activity.

Against this backdrop, INTERPOL has now published its 2025/2026 Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report, which highlights a dramatic increase in cybercrime across the region.

What are the key findings of the report?

According to the report, cybercrime now accounts for approximately 30% of all recorded crime in more than half of the countries surveyed.

INTERPOL notes that unprecedented growth in internet connectivity, mobile banking, cloud computing and digital financial services has contributed to a significant increase in cybercriminal activity across Asia and the South Pacific.

Ransomware attacks continue to increase

The report identified more than 135,000 ransomware-related attacks during 2024, affecting a wide range of industries, including real estate, manufacturing and financial services.

DDoS attacks surged by 92%

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks increased by 92% compared with the previous year.

Artificial intelligence is creating new opportunities for cybercriminals

The report found that discussions relating to deepfakes on cybercrime forums and messaging channels increased by approximately 600%, highlighting growing concerns about AI-generated content being used to facilitate fraud, impersonation and social engineering attacks.

Phishing remains a major threat

INTERPOL reported that approximately 5.5 out of every 1,000 individuals in the region click on phishing links each month, around three times the global average.

Cloud-based applications were identified as primary targets, reflecting the increasing reliance on digital platforms for both business and personal activities.

Data breaches remain widespread

The report found that system intrusions accounted for approximately 80% of all data breaches.

Malware and ransomware also continue to play a significant role in cyber incidents, demonstrating the continuing effectiveness of established cybercriminal tactics.

How are law enforcement agencies responding?

Despite the growing threat landscape, the report notes that many countries are taking proactive steps to improve cyber resilience and enforcement capabilities.

These measures include public awareness campaigns, specialist cybercrime training, enhanced digital forensic capabilities, greater use of artificial intelligence tools, investment in cybercrime response units and improved intelligence-sharing between jurisdictions.

INTERPOL has also emphasised the importance of improving cloud security, strengthening responses to cyber incidents and promoting greater international cooperation.

What does this mean in practice?

The report reflects a broader trend that we have observed across a number of recent INTERPOL initiatives: cybercrime investigations are becoming increasingly international in nature.

For businesses and individuals, this may mean greater cross-border intelligence-sharing, increased cooperation between law enforcement agencies, more coordinated international investigations, increased focus on digital evidence and greater emphasis on asset-tracing and recovery.

As cybercrime becomes increasingly borderless, investigations are more likely to involve multiple jurisdictions simultaneously.

Businesses operating internationally should be aware that cyber incidents may attract scrutiny from authorities in more than one country, particularly where financial crime, fraud or digital assets are involved.

Risks and common misunderstandings

A common misconception is that cybercrime investigations remain largely domestic.

In reality, many investigations now involve multiple law enforcement agencies, international information-sharing mechanisms, asset recovery initiatives and INTERPOL cooperation channels.

Another common misunderstanding is that INTERPOL’s role is limited to Red Notices. In practice, INTERPOL supports a wide range of international law enforcement activities, including cybercrime investigations, intelligence-sharing and asset-tracing initiatives.

Individuals and businesses should also be cautious about delaying specialist advice. Matters that initially appear local can quickly develop into complex multi-jurisdictional investigations.

What role does the INTERPOL Silver Notice play?

Alongside its cybercrime initiatives, INTERPOL continues to expand the use of the INTERPOL Silver Notice, which is designed to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying, tracing and recovering criminal assets internationally.

We have previously examined developments involving the Silver Notice, including cooperation with Indian law enforcement authorities, asset recovery initiatives involving African enforcement agencies, discussions at INTERPOL’s European Regional Conference and the City of London Police’s use of a Silver Notice.

Since its introduction in January 2025, the use of the Silver Notice has expanded significantly. By June 2025, INTERPOL reported more than 50 published Silver Notices worldwide.

The growing use of the Silver Notice reflects INTERPOL’s increasing focus on international asset recovery and financial crime investigations.

Related reading:
What is an INTERPOL Silver Notice?
How to Remove an INTERPOL Red Notice
INTERPOL Cybercrime Update – Operation Synergia III Tackles Global Cybercrime Network
Official INTERPOL Report

Gherson Insight

From our perspective, the significance of this report extends beyond the cybercrime statistics themselves.

The findings highlight INTERPOL’s continued focus on strengthening international cooperation in response to increasingly sophisticated transnational criminal networks. Whether through cybercrime enforcement, financial investigations or asset recovery initiatives, law enforcement agencies are sharing intelligence and coordinating investigations to an unprecedented degree.

We expect this trend to continue as cybercriminals increasingly exploit artificial intelligence, digital assets and cross-border technologies. The growing use of tools such as the INTERPOL Silver Notice also demonstrates a broader emphasis on identifying and recovering assets connected to criminal activity.

For individuals and businesses facing allegations connected to cybercrime, financial crime or international investigations, early specialist advice is often essential. Matters that may initially appear domestic can quickly evolve into complex investigations involving multiple jurisdictions, extradition risks and INTERPOL measures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is INTERPOL’s Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report?

It is a regional assessment published by INTERPOL examining cybercrime trends, enforcement challenges and emerging threats across Asia and the South Pacific.

What cybercrime trends were identified in the report?

The report highlights ransomware attacks, phishing campaigns, DDoS attacks, AI-enabled cybercrime and data breaches as key threats.

What is an INTERPOL Silver Notice?

An INTERPOL Silver Notice is a tool used to assist law enforcement agencies in identifying, tracing and recovering criminal assets internationally.

Can cybercrime investigations involve INTERPOL notices?

Potentially. Depending on the circumstances, international investigations may involve INTERPOL cooperation mechanisms, notices and requests for assistance between member countries.

Can INTERPOL notices be challenged?

In certain circumstances, INTERPOL notices and related measures may be challenged where they do not comply with INTERPOL’s rules and constitutional framework.

How Gherson can assist

Those who suspect they may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red Notice, Blue Notice or diffusion, should seek specialist advice at an early stage.

Gherson’s White-Collar Crime Team regularly advises clients on INTERPOL notices and diffusions, Red Notice challenges, extradition proceedings, international financial crime investigations, asset recovery matters and cross-border regulatory issues.

With more than 37 years’ experience advising on INTERPOL matters, extradition and international investigations, our team can provide strategic advice tailored to your circumstances.

If you have any questions arising from this article or would like advice regarding your specific situation, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail, or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2026