Kuala Lumpur: Online scams and phishing remain the most prevalent global cyber threats, with criminals leveraging increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive victims, said INTERPOL’s Cybercrime Directorate Dr. Neal Jetton. He emphasized that most cybercrimes observed across Asia and globally stem from social engineering attacks, such as phishing, ransomware, and business email compromise scams.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Jetton highlighted that phishing-related scams are likely the most widespread cyber threat today, affecting not just Malaysia or the Asia Pacific, but globally. These scams often involve emails or messages that appear legitimate, targeting individuals with romantic, business, or financial opportunities.

Jetton, who is based in Singapore, stressed that cybercrime is both a regional and global challenge, noting that approximately 75 to 80 percent of cyber incidents worldwide involve a human element, most commonly through phishing. Phishing is a form of cyberattack where criminals impersonate trusted sources via emails or messages to deceive individuals into disclosing sensitive information like passwords, financial credentials, or personal data.

The urgency of the issue is evident in Malaysia’s statistics, with ransomware incidents rising by 78 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024, reflecting the increasing complexity and scale of cyber threats locally. When asked about Malaysia’s capacity to tackle such threats, Jetton commended the Royal Malaysian Police for their dedication and proactive efforts in combating cybercrime, noting his positive interactions with them.

He added that INTERPOL continues to work closely with Malaysia and expressed hope that this collaboration will further strengthen future efforts to combat cybercrime. Jetton also highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) and encrypted technologies as key areas of concern, noting that law enforcement agencies often face challenges in keeping up with the fast-evolving tools employed by cybercriminals. His team focuses on how to keep up with these technologies to respond effectively, despite not being the subject matter experts in AI.