SINGAPORE – Identifying criminals and organized crime networks within the Darknet and their modus operandi to avoid law enforcement detection was the focus of a five-day specialized training course hosted at the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI).
The five-day training (15 - 19 August) aimed to develop capabilities in key areas related to the use of Darknet and cryptocurrencies, including online investigation, digital forensics, analytics, international collaboration, legal challenges and criminology.
It was co-developed by INTERPOL and the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), and supported by experts from Kaspersky Lab and SECOM Japan.
“Darknets are fast emerging as the preferred trading venue for organized crime networks and individuals to carry out illicit activities, with cryptocurrencies – mainly Bitcoin – the preferred medium for paying for these criminal services,” said Silvino Schlickmann, INTERPOL’s Assistant Director of Research and Innovation.
Professor Pieter Hartel of TNO highlighted the added value of the training and collaboration with INTERPOL: “The specialized training, provided by a unique joint effort of INTERPOL and TNO, equips law enforcement with a mere hands-on perspective and deeper understanding of the evolving criminal activities on the Darknet, and the very much needed actionable perspectives to intervene in the virtual world.”
“Combining applied scientific knowledge – that tackles the complexity and the speed of criminal innovation – with police practice, could be the game changer to meet today’s challenges,” added Professor Hartel.
Law enforcement officials from 18 countries representing all regions worldwide participated in the training intended to benefit their respective police organizations.