Grooming, radicalization and cyber-attacks: INTERPOL warns of ‘Metacrime’

New white paper provides in-depth analysis of the metaverse from a law enforcement perspective

DAVOS, Switzerland — A new white paper published by INTERPOL outlines a comprehensive analysis of the main challenges, threats and hazards of the metaverse from a law enforcement perspective.

The document, which contributes to the realization of a secure metaverse, identifies current and potential metacrimes such as luring, radicalization and cyber-physical attacks against critical infrastructure, as well as the theft of 3D virtual/cultural property, intrusion into private virtual spaces and robbery via avatars.

Lack of standardization and interoperability; virtual worlds spanning multiple jurisdictions; and the additional complexity of accessing the metaverse across multiple devices and systems: all are challenges currently faced by investigators.

Police may be faced with virtual crime scenes there is no physical evidence to collect — only digital interactions involving virtual assets such as cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

Such online environments are dynamic, meaning evidence can easily disappear or be tampered with.

Nonetheless, the INTERPOL document also notes that the metaverse offers opportunities for law enforcement, from advanced simulations and virtual crime scene protection to immersive training.

New opportunities for crime
The document also highlights that first responders, digital forensics experts and justice systems need to understand the Metaverse and related technologies to ensure the safety of virtual environments and protect individual rights.

“The rise of powerful technologies such as the Metaverse has made the criminal landscape increasingly complex and transnational, creating new challenges for law enforcement.”

Interpol Secretary General Jurgen Stock

“We see that the Metaverse and AI offer new opportunities for criminal activity for which the world is not fully prepared.

“Interpol remains committed to being the voice of the global law enforcement community to ensure the safety of the virtual world.” ”

Holistic approach
A holistic approach involving multiple jurisdictions, multiple dimensions and multiple organizations, involving multi-stakeholder engagement and cross-border cooperation is essential for effective law enforcement response to metacrime.

INTERPOL aims to help its member states understand the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies and ensure that law enforcement has the tools and training to effectively respond to this evolving criminal landscape.

The report, launched as part of the Next Generation Technologies and Global Security conference at the World Economic Forum’s Global Engagement Village, was developed with input from INTERPOL’s Metaverse Expert Group, which is comprised of representatives from law enforcement, governments, the private sector, academia and international organizations.

In October 2022, INTERPOL launched the first Metaverse designed specifically for law enforcement worldwide, providing an immersive training course for law enforcement worldwide.