The international policing body INTERPOL worked with cybersecurity firm Kaspersky to support online security during the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2025, which was held in Morocco and ended in January 2026.
The work was carried out under INTERPOL’s Project Stadia. Information shared by Kaspersky was used by Moroccan law enforcement to help prevent and reduce cyber risks linked to the tournament, its spectators and the country hosting the event.
Officials said major sporting competitions often attract cybercriminals because of the large global audience. They warned that attackers seek to exploit fans through scams, fake websites and data theft during high-profile events.
Kaspersky provided intelligence covering several types of online threats:
- Compromised credentials
Its Digital Footprint Intelligence team identified more than 2,116,000 login details linked to Moroccan users or resources on the dark web. These were stolen using infostealers, malware designed to extract passwords, financial information and other sensitive data. - Hacktivist activity
The company reported a rise in hacktivist activity between September and December 2025. Around 300 messages in 2025 referred to attacks targeting Morocco. The main tactics included distributed denial of service attacks and website defacement. - Fraudulent websites
Investigators also found fake websites designed to steal personal and payment details. Some posed as platforms selling tickets for the tournament. Others offered fake rewards for predicting match results.
Kaspersky said closer cooperation between public authorities and private companies is essential to tackling cybercrime at major events.
Yuliya Shlychkova, Vice President for Global Public Affairs at Kaspersky, said large international events are attractive targets for attackers and that joint efforts help protect millions of participants and supporters.
INTERPOL’s Project Stadia aims to support member countries in planning security for major events. It promotes the sharing of best practices and collaboration between law enforcement and technology firms.
Kaspersky has previously supported cybersecurity efforts linked to the Olympic Games Paris 2024 and the Singapore Grand Prix 2025.
Sport at the elite level now relies heavily on digital systems, from online ticketing to live broadcasting. Each system can provide opportunities for cyber attacks.
During the Olympic Games Tokyo 2021, authorities recorded hundreds of millions of cyber incidents. Officials said the detection of more than 2.1 million compromised credentials and the disruption of phishing sites during the tournament demonstrated progress in strengthening national cyber defences.
