The INTERPOL report highlights a dramatic increase in cybercrime across Asia and the South Pacific, driven by phishing, ransomware, AI-enabled scams, and organized criminal networks exploiting uneven cybersecurity maturity.

Escalating Cyber Threats

Cybercrime accounts for over 30 per cent of all recorded crime across the region, according to INTERPOL's 2025/2026 Asia and South Pacific Cyberthreat Assessment Report. The report covers the period from January 2024 to March 2025 and reveals a significant surge in cyber-scam techniques such as phishing, which have emerged as the most widespread and financially damaging form of cybercrime.

The region recorded over 135,000 ransomware-related attacks in 2024, affecting sectors including real estate, manufacturing, and financial services. Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks surged by 92 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year. Additionally, discussions about deepfakes on cybercriminal forums and Telegram channels popular among Southeast Asian threat actors increased by 600 per cent from February to June 2024.

Phishing: The Most Widespread Threat

Phishing has emerged as the most widespread and financially damaging form of cybercrime in the region. According to INTERPOL, 5.5 out of every 1,000 individuals in the region clicked on phishing links monthly – approximately twice the global average - with cloud applications being the primary targets. This highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against phishing attacks.

The report also notes that system intrusions accounted for approximately 80 per cent of all data breaches in 2024, with malware and ransomware present in 83 per cent and 51 per cent of cases respectively. Between January and December 2024, more than 6.5 billion cyber threats were detected.

Why It Matters to the Industry

The rise in cybercrime across Asia and the South Pacific poses significant challenges for adult-industry platforms and operators. With phishing being the most widespread threat, it is essential for these companies to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect against phishing attacks. The use of AI-enabled scams also raises concerns about the potential for deepfakes to be used in adult content.

The report highlights the need for strengthened operational cooperation, information sharing, and cyber resilience to protect communities and critical infrastructure. This is particularly relevant for the adult industry, which relies heavily on online platforms and digital services. The use of AI-powered tools to detect and prevent cyber threats can help mitigate the risks associated with phishing and ransomware attacks.

What Comes Next

The INTERPOL report emphasizes the importance of joint operations, training, and policy efforts to improve cyber resilience. Law enforcement agencies are expanding their efforts to combat cybercrime, including the use of AI-powered tools to detect and prevent threats. The adult industry can learn from these efforts and implement similar measures to protect against cyber threats.

Key Facts

  • Cybercrime accounts for over 30 per cent of all recorded crime across the region.
  • Phishing has emerged as the most widespread and financially damaging form of cybercrime in the region.
  • The region recorded over 135,000 ransomware-related attacks in 2024.
  • Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks surged by 92 per cent in 2024 compared to the previous year.
  • Discussions about deepfakes on cybercriminal forums and Telegram channels popular among Southeast Asian threat actors increased by 600 per cent from February to June 2024.

The INTERPOL report highlights the need for robust cybersecurity measures to protect against phishing attacks, ransomware, and AI-enabled scams. The adult industry can learn from these efforts and implement similar measures to protect against cyber threats.