Kaspersky collaborated with INTERPOL during the 2024 Summer Olympics in France to address phishing scams and fraudulent schemes targeting spectators and participants. Their joint efforts helped neutralize cyber threats, ensuring a safer environment for millions of Olympic fans.
22 October 2024 – Kaspersky has played a pivotal role in combating cybercrime related to the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in France by providing critical threat intelligence to INTERPOL as part of Project Stadia. This initiative, designed to safeguard major global events such as sporting tournaments, cultural gatherings, and conferences, focused on addressing cyber threats surrounding the Olympic Games. With the aim of protecting millions of spectators and participants, Kaspersky collaborated with INTERPOL to prevent and mitigate various fraudulent schemes, including phishing websites and social engineering scams that targeted unsuspecting fans.
During the Olympics, Kaspersky identified a surge in online scams, including fake websites offering tickets, counterfeit merchandise, and fraudulent auctions for Olympic medals. Sophisticated schemes also emerged, with cybercriminals using platforms like WhatsApp to lure users into fake promotions or tricking them into accessing fraudulent online streaming services. By sharing real-time threat intelligence with INTERPOL, Kaspersky contributed to neutralizing these threats, protecting fans from financial losses and data theft.
Yuliya Shlychkova, Vice President of Public Affairs at Kaspersky, emphasized the importance of public-private collaboration in mitigating cyber risks during large-scale events. Neal Jetton, INTERPOL’s Director of Cybercrime, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the critical role of international cooperation in responding to emerging threats and securing global events. This partnership is part of Kaspersky’s broader commitment to supporting law enforcement through joint operations, cybersecurity awareness, and training.
In a related study, Kaspersky found that nearly 25% of the public Wi-Fi networks in Paris during the Games lacked adequate encryption, posing significant risks to users’ personal and financial data. The full details of this research can be found in Kaspersky’s blog post.
