Interpol has introduced its inaugural Silver Notice aimed at tracing assets laundered across international borders, marking a significant advancement in global policing efforts. This announcement was made as part of a pilot initiative involving 52 member countries, including India, as reported on January 10, 2025.
The issuance of the Silver Notice comes at the request of Italy, which seeks information regarding the assets belonging to a senior mafia figure. This move is seen as a vital step in combating transnational crime by providing a framework for member nations to collaborate more effectively.
With the addition of the Silver Notice, Interpol now offers eight types of color-coded notices, each serving a distinct purpose. For instance, the Red Notice allows countries to request the apprehension of fugitives residing abroad.
India is currently dealing with at least ten fugitive economic offenders, amidst challenges in estimating the total amount of illicit wealth transferred overseas. Officials assert that the Silver Notice will bolster efforts in locating the assets of criminals who have attempted to conceal their wealth in tax havens.
The pilot project allows for the submission of up to 500 notices, which will be distributed among participating nations. However, specifics regarding individuals or cases for which information is sought will remain confidential.
According to Interpol, the Silver Notice is designed to facilitate the tracing of assets connected to criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and environmental crime. The initiative aims to enhance collaboration among member countries, potentially leading to asset seizure and recovery in alignment with national laws.
Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza emphasized that dismantling criminal financial networks is crucial in addressing organized crime and noted that a staggering 99% of criminal assets remain unrecovered. By disrupting these financial gains, Interpol seeks to mitigate the impact of crime on communities globally.
As the pilot initiative progresses, each Silver Notice will undergo a rigorous review process to ensure compliance with Interpol’s regulations. Notably, during this phase, details of the Silver Notices will not be publicly accessible through Interpol’s platform.
This development follows a resolution from Interpol’s 91st General Assembly, which highlighted the need for effective measures in asset tracing and recovery. The resolution also tasked an expert working group to establish the pilot project’s scope and safeguards.
This strategic enhancement to Interpol’s notice system aims to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation and provide a vital tool for tracing illicit financial activities.
Published – January 10, 2025, 03:32 pm IST
