Financial and Cyber Crimes Top Global Police Concerns: INTERPOL Report Reveals

In the 90th INTERPOL General Assembly held in New Delhi from October 18-21, 2022, financial and cybercrimes emerged as the primary threats globally ¹. The INterpol Global Crime Trend report, based on data from 195 member countries, emphasized the convergence of various criminal activities and their destabilizing impact on societies.

Key Findings

• Financial and cybercrimes identified as leading global threats ¹
• Increased sophistication of financial and cybercrimes ¹
• Money laundering, ransomware attacks, phishing, and online fraud as high or very high risks ¹
• Phishing and ransomware attacks expected to surge ²
• Financial fraud often committed via digital technologies
• Targeting of critical infrastructure, governments, and corporations through ransomware attacks ³
• Complex and interconnected nature of crime ¹
• Heightened awareness and education as crucial prevention measures ⁴

Converging Threats

Financial and cybercrimes are interconnected, with a significant portion of financial fraud committed digitally. Instances of threats encountered online include email scams, executive impersonation, e-commerce fraud, and investment fraud ³. However, the escalating targeting of critical infrastructure, governments, and large corporations through ransomware attacks is of particular concern ³.

Report Highlights

The INTERPOL Global Crime Trend report revealed that financial and cybercrimes are the leading threats globally ¹. The increased sophistication of these crimes has resulted in money laundering, ransomware attacks, phishing, and online fraud being recognized as high or very high risks by a large majority of respondents ¹.

According to the report, phishing and ransomware attacks are expected to surge significantly in the subsequent 3-5 years ². Money laundering through digital channels and the use of cryptocurrencies remain major concerns ¹.

Prevention Measures

The complex and interconnected nature of crime underscores the importance of understanding this intricacy to drive effective prevention measures ¹. Heightened awareness and education about these threats represent the cornerstone of combating the global security challenge posed by financial and cybercrime ⁴.

For more information about the INTERPOL report and its findings, please visit: INTERPOL Global Crime Trend