International cooperation, especially through organizations like Interpol, plays a critical role in combating future trends in carding (fraud with bank cards and other financial instruments), as these crimes are global in nature and constantly evolving. For educational purposes, we will examine the role of international cooperation in more detail, including Interpol's operational mechanisms, key aspects of combating carding, challenges posed by new technologies, and examples of successful operations.
INTERPOL is addressing these challenges by strengthening partnerships with the private sector, developing new analytical tools, and expanding training programs.
1. Why is international cooperation necessary?
Carding is a form of cybercrime that is not limited to a single jurisdiction. Criminals exploit global networks such as the darknet to buy and sell stolen card data, as well as international financial systems to launder funds. Future trends, such as the use of artificial intelligence (AI), cryptocurrency, and decentralized platforms, make carding even more difficult to investigate. International cooperation enables:- Pooling Resources: No single country has the resources to combat global cybercrime alone. Interpol provides a platform for pooling efforts.
- Overcoming legal barriers: Differences in legislation make it difficult to prosecute criminals operating across borders. Interpol helps coordinate legal action.
- Responding to the speed of crime: Cybercriminals act quickly, using automated tools. International networks allow for the rapid exchange of information for a timely response.
2. Interpol's role in the fight against carding
Interpol is an international organization that coordinates the law enforcement efforts of 196 member countries. In the context of combating carding, Interpol performs the following functions:a) Exchange of information and intelligence
- Databases: Interpol maintains global databases, such as I-24/7, which contain information on cybercriminals, stolen data, IP addresses used in attacks, and other digital traces. For example, a database of stolen credit cards allows banks and law enforcement agencies to quickly identify fraudulent transactions.
- Cyber Intelligence: Interpol collects and analyses data on new carding techniques, such as the use of AI to create phishing websites or automated attacks on online payment systems.
- Alerts: Interpol issues Purple Notices on emerging cyber threats, including carding trends, so countries can adapt their defenses.
b) Coordination of transnational operations
- Interpol organizes international operations, such as HAECHI (the Global Cybercrime Initiative). For example, Operation HAECHI IV (2023) led to the arrest of over 3,600 suspects, including carders, and the confiscation of assets worth approximately $300 million. Such operations combine the efforts of police, banks, and tech companies to dismantle criminal networks.
- Intelligence sharing: Interpol coordinates efforts to track carding-related transactions through international payment systems such as Visa and Mastercard.
c) Training and professional development
- Interpol provides training to law enforcement agencies, teaching them how to use new technologies, such as blockchain analysis to track cryptocurrency transactions or recognizing AI-generated deepfakes used in social engineering.
- Programs such as the Global Cybercrime Programme help countries with less developed cybersecurity systems implement advanced investigative techniques.
d) Legal support
- Interpol helps countries harmonize their legal approaches to cybercrime. For example, carding can be classified differently in different jurisdictions (ranging from fraud to data theft). Interpol facilitates the extradition of suspects and provides a legal basis for joint investigations.
- The organization also collaborates with international bodies such as the UN and Europol to develop global standards to combat cybercrime.
3. Future carding trends and challenges
Carding is constantly evolving, and future trends create new challenges that require enhanced international cooperation. Let's look at the key trends and how Interpol can help address them:a) Use of artificial intelligence
- Trend: Cybercriminals are using AI to create deepfakes, automated phishing campaigns, and analyze vulnerabilities in payment systems. For example, AI can generate convincing fake calls from "bank employees" to steal data.
- Interpol's role: Interpol develops tools to detect AI-generated content and trains law enforcement agencies in countermeasures. The organization also collaborates with the private sector (such as cybersecurity companies) to develop anti-AI solutions.
b) Cryptocurrencies and decentralized finance (DeFi)
- Trend: Carders are increasingly using cryptocurrencies for money laundering because they are more difficult to trace than traditional bank transactions. DeFi platforms allow for anonymous transactions, making investigations more difficult.
- Interpol's role: Interpol works with blockchain analytics companies (such as Chainalysis) to track cryptocurrency transactions. The Global Rapid Intervention of Payments (GRIP) program helps block suspicious transfers in real time.
c) Social engineering and phishing
- Trend: Advanced social engineering techniques, including targeted phishing attacks, are becoming more common. For example, carders can use stolen data from social media to create customized attacks.
- Interpol's role: Interpol disseminates information about new phishing schemes and educates banks and consumers on security methods such as two-factor authentication.
d) Skimming and physical devices
- Trend: Despite digitalization, skimmers (devices for reading card data) remain a threat, especially in regions with low chip card penetration.
- Interpol's role: The organization coordinates efforts to identify and dismantle networks that produce and distribute skimmers, and trains law enforcement agencies in methods of detecting them.
4. Practical examples and successes
To illustrate the effectiveness of international cooperation, we will give several examples:- Operation HAECHI: As mentioned, Operation HAECHI IV (2023) was an example of successful coordination. It involved law enforcement agencies from 34 countries, resulting in the shutdown of over 1,400 phishing websites and the arrest of carders operating in Asia, Europe, and Africa.
- Operation Falcon: In 2020, INTERPOL, Europol and African countries conducted an operation against bank card fraud, leading to the arrest of more than 1,000 suspects and the prevention of losses of more than $40 million.
- Dark HunTOR: In 2021, Interpol participated in an operation against darknet markets selling stolen card data. This resulted in the closure of several major platforms and the arrest of their operators.
5. Challenges and Limitations
Despite the successes, international cooperation faces a number of challenges:- Legal differences: In some countries, cybercrime is not a priority or the legislation is outdated, making investigations difficult.
- Lack of resources: Countries with limited cybersecurity budgets often struggle to implement advanced technologies.
- Anonymity of technology: Cryptocurrencies and the dark web make it difficult to track criminals.
- Rapidly Evolving Threats: Cybercriminals adapt faster than law enforcement, requiring constant updating of methods.
INTERPOL is addressing these challenges by strengthening partnerships with the private sector, developing new analytical tools, and expanding training programs.
6. Future Directions
To effectively combat carding in the future, Interpol and other international organizations need to:- Invest in AI and analytics: Develop tools to analyze big data and predict new threats.
- Strengthen cooperation with the private sector: Banks, payment systems, and IT companies can provide data and technology to combat carding.
- Develop global standards: Creating uniform cybersecurity regulations will simplify investigations.
- Focus on prevention: Educating users and businesses on security measures such as the use of tokenization and biometric authentication will reduce vulnerability to carding.
