Ex-Secret Service agent who protected Trump now here to fight cybercrime

Neal Jetton leads the global charge against phishing, malware at Interpol's unit here

- Elizabeth Law Correspondent and Samuel Devaraj

Nearly two decades ago, an epiphany on a plane led American Neal Jetton to become a Secret Service agent instead of working as a molecular biologist.

On his way back from a job interview to be a professor, he wondered what he was doing with his life.

Speaking to The Straits Times, Mr Jetton said: "I remember flying back home and, on the plane, I was like, 'They may offer me this job and I don't want it."

He instead signed up to join the Secret Service.

He was on US President Donald Trump's detail in his first term, and also protected the First Family and other government officials.

Now, as head of Interpol's cybercrime directorate based in Singapore, Mr Jetton leads the global charge against phishing and malware.

From its headquarters in Napier Road, the directorate provides support for international operations targeting cybercrime, assisting local law enforcement in dismantling hostile networks behind various online criminal activities.

This included Operation Serengeti in 2024, when it partnered pan-African police body Afripol.

More than 35,000 victims were identified during the operation, which targeted criminals behind ransomware, business e-mail compromise and online scams, as well as digital extortion.

These cases were linked to nearly US$193 million (S$258 million) in financial losses worldwide.

It resulted in the arrests of 1,006 suspects from 19 African countries.