How will INTERPOL Silver Notices assist in recovering laundered assets?

In August 2024, we wrote an article describing what an INTERPOL Silver Notice is and followed up with an article discussing INTERPOL’s issuance of  its first-ever Silver Notice.

What is an INTERPOL Silver Notice?

An INTERPOL Silver Notice is used as a means to “track the offenders, terrorist financers and others who are using virtual currencies like bitcoin to move and store illicit funds, out of the reach of law enforcement and other authorities”.

How will the INTERPOL Silver Notice assist in recovering laundered assets?

The key mechanism for this is enhanced information sharing.

Whereas an INTERPOL Red Notice enables enhanced information sharing between Member Countries to locate wanted individuals, the INTERPOL Silver Notice enables enhanced information sharing between Member Countries to locate laundered assets.

It is hoped that enhanced information sharing will lead to more cooperation opportunities for Member Countries in order to locate laundered assets; additionally, it should also enable Member Countries to make stronger and more targeted attempts to recover laundered assets once they are located.

As such, an INTERPOL Silver Notice will allow member countries to use the INTERPOL network to request information on assets linked to criminal activity such as fraud. This information can then be used as a basis for bilateral engagement, including requests for seizure, confiscation or recovery of assets.

All of this should result in more successful attempts to locate and recover laundered assets.

To give an example, by way of the first INTERPOL Silver Notice, Italy sought information on assets belonging to a senior member of the mafia.

Could Silver Notices be unjustly issued?

Like most notices, it is possible that Silver Notices can be unjustly issued. If a Silver Notice is inappropriately issued it could have a significant impact on the targeted individual’s property and livelihood.

However, as always, it is recommended that legal expertise is sought before you engage in communication with INTERPOL.

Updated: 13 February 2025

How Gherson can help

Those who fear that they may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red, Blue, Orange, Green, Purple, Special (INTERPOL – United Nations Security Council) or Yellow Notice, should take heed.

Gherson Solicitors continue to receive requests for expert advice and assistance from those who fear they may have outstanding financial issues. Our advice tackles:    

1. How to best approach a possible INTERPOL notice.
2. Preparing for potential criminal proceedings / an extradition request.
3. Preparing for a situation where a civil matter or commercial dispute could be used to initiate bogus criminal proceedings.
4. Exploring the possibility of instigating civil litigation proceedings to recover any misappropriated assets.

For over 30 years, Gherson has been assisting clients with all aspects of INTERPOL measures, Red Notice challenges and extradition matters. If you would like to speak to us in respect of any of the issues raised in this blog or discuss your specific circumstances,  do not hesitate to contact us for advice, send us an e-mail or, alternatively, follow us on X, Facebook, or LinkedIn to stay-up-to-date.

The information in this blog is for general information purposes only and does not purport to be comprehensive or to provide legal advice. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information and law is current as of the date of publication it should be stressed that, due to the passage of time, this does not necessarily reflect the present legal position. Gherson accepts no responsibility for loss which may arise from accessing or reliance on information contained in this blog. For formal advice on the current law please do not hesitate to contact Gherson. Legal advice is only provided pursuant to a written agreement, identified as such, and signed by the client and by or on behalf of Gherson.

©Gherson 2025

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