Interpol Global Complex for Innovation’s (IGCI) 10th Anniversary Event – Speech by Mr Ngiam Shih Chun, Deputy Secretary (Policy), Ministry of Home Affairs

Secretary General of INTERPOL, Mr Valdecy Urquiza

President of INTERPOL, Major General Ahmed Naser Al-Raisi

Excellencies

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. Good evening and a warm welcome to Singapore. It is my privilege and pleasure to join you today as we mark the 10th Anniversary of the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation (IGCI) here in Singapore.

2. On behalf of the Singapore Government, I extend our warmest congratulations to INTERPOL and all who have contributed to this remarkable journey of the IGCI over the past decade.

3. Singapore is honoured to play our part to support international law enforcement by hosting the IGCI. It was launched 10 years ago with a clear mission to harness innovation, technology and strategic foresight in tackling the increasingly complex challenges of international crime.

4. Since its inception, the IGCI has equipped the world’s police with the tools and knowledge to better tackle the crime threats of the 21st century, with a cutting-edge research and development facility for the identification of crimes and criminals, innovative training, operational support, and partnerships.

Current Crime Situation

5. This anniversary is not just a celebration of the past – I agree with the Secretary General that it is an opportunity to reflect on the future. Scams and cybercrimes are a key concern for many countries around the world, including Singapore. Last year, the number of scam and cybercrime cases in Singapore increased by 11% to 55,800 cases, with total losses of about S$1.1 billion.

6. To effectively deal with the transnational nature of scams, there is a greater need for strong international cooperation. As such, the work being done at IGCI is more relevant than ever, and the IGCI remains a critical force in our collective efforts to address the most pressing and complex threats of our time.

IGCI’s Notable Accomplishments

7. The successes of the IGCI-led cybercrime operations mark a significant milestone in the global fight against cyber threats. From February to April 2025, the INTERPOL Cybercrime Directorate coordinated a multi-agency cybercrime operation, codenamed Operation Secure, targeting information stealer malware in the Asia and South Pacific region. The operation aimed to disrupt and investigate servers used in malicious campaigns and prevent further victim losses.

8. Operation Secure was a major success. The coordinated efforts of participating countries resulted in the takedown of 79% of identified suspicious IP addresses, the seizure of 41 servers and over 100 GB of data, as well as the arrest of 32 suspects link to illegal cyber activities. Over 216,000 victims and potential victims were notified to take immediate action – such as changing their passwords, freezing accounts, or removing unauthorised.

9. The IGCI has shown that collaboration built on trust and shared commitment can lead to powerful outcomes in this age where criminal networks are becoming faster, smarter, and more elusive.

Singapore’s Contributions to the IGCI

10. Singapore has also been actively collaborating with the IGCI to tackle cybercrime. For instance, the Ministry of Home Affairs was the project proponent for the ASEAN Cyber Capacity Development Project, which was implemented within the IGCI to help ASEAN Member States identify critical vulnerabilities in their cyber infrastructure.

11. The project is now in its third phase and has been renamed Cyber Capabilities and Capacity Project (C3DP). It aims to deliver specialised training courses for cybercrime personnel, table-top exercises to test and enhance investigators’ ability to respond to such incidents, and knowledge base accessible to peers in the region.

12. Our Singapore Police Force officers have also been seconded to the IGCI to support the Cybercrime, Financial Crime, Capacity Building and Security workstreams. These seconded officers reflect Singapore’s commitment to be a hub for international law enforcement cooperation.

13. In support of the collective international policing endeavour, the SPF is also an active participant in INTERPOL’s various operations and initiatives, some of which include Operation First Light, Operation Synergia, and Operation Secure.

14. Above all, we want to thank IGCI for your close cooperation and collaboration to collectively combat scams and cyber-enabled fraud. Singapore will continue to work closely with the IGCI and look forward to exploring possible areas where we can strengthen the fabric of global security and build a more resilient future.

Conclusion

15. Once again, congratulations on this very important milestone. To all the dedicated professionals, analysts, technologists, and law enforcement leaders who have made IGCI what it is today: your efforts and commitment inspires confidence in a safer, more resilient future.

16. As we look forward, I am confident that the IGCI will continue to be a beacon of innovation, strategy and unity in tackling new challenges. Your work not only brings justice but also reinforces trust in international security frameworks.

17. I would like to thank the Secretary General, President, as well as member countries of INTERPOL for your strong support of the IGCI. Let us all continue to work together to enhance international cooperation against crime and terrorism.

18. Thank you.