INTERPOL Africa Update – recent meeting to discuss organised crime across Africa

INTERPOL continues to play a key role in strengthening global security and tackling transnational organised crime. With cybercrime, smuggling, financial fraud, and cross-border criminal activity on the rise across Africa, the latest INTERPOL African Regional Conference has outlined a series of measures focused on reinforcing regional and international cooperation. These initiatives not only seek to enhance law enforcement capacity within Africa but may also have far-reaching implications for individuals and businesses operating internationally, including those connected to the UK.

We have previously written extensively about INTERPOL’s developments and initiatives to enhance its transnational financial crime fighting capabilities, both at domestic and international levels.

We recently detailed how INTERPOL had collaborated with Indian enforcement agencies to enhance international cooperation, and how the Indian CBI’s use of INTERPOL Red Notice increased since 2023.

Tracking broader collaboration, we have discussed INTERPOL’s work with Indian enforcement agencies to enhance international cooperation, with African law enforcement to disrupt criminal activity by way of the INTERPOL Silver Notice, with Chinese law enforcement to enhance international cooperation, and reported on the rise of cybercrime in two-thirds of African countries.

Finally, we have been tracking China’s increasing collaboration with INTERPOL, most recently via a high-level meeting between INTERPOL and China’s Ministry of Public Security focused on expanding cross-border collaboration in areas such as telecom fraud, asset recovery, fugitive repatriation, and terrorism,  as well as recent news confirming that the Chinese authorities continue to use the INTERPOL Red Notice to locate individuals suspected of wrongdoing.

Most recently we discussed an INTERPOL cybercrime operation in Africa targeting scams involving crypto.

Latest meeting to strengthen cooperation to enhance regional security

Returning to Africa, the INTERPOL African Regional Conference has just concluded with a series of recommendations designed to enhance Africa’s ability to fight transnational organised crime.

The recommendations include:

• Harnessing INTERPOL’s global expertise to combat cybercrime, ransomware, online scams and digital extortion.
• Expanding intelligence and data exchange between specialist units to identify high-value targets and disrupt criminal networks.
• Strengthen border controls with regional and international partners to disrupt the movement of illicit goods, smuggled persons.
• Promoting the use of NEXUS, INTERPOL’s new secure case messaging platform for real-time operational coordination, across birders and across regions.
• Engage with INTERPOL’s capacity building and training services to strengthen operational capabilities and enhance professional standards.

The conference also saw the creation of a new INTERPOL African Committee, which will set future regional priorities and advise on crime threats and preventative strategies.

What does this mean?

With regards to investigations against individuals, the potential for enhanced information-sharing (particularly to or from Africa) and easier access to evidence, from a broader scope, may ultimately result in charges being brought against those who are based in the UK, extradition requests being issued against those based abroad, or INTERPOL Red Notices more readily leading to extradition proceedings.

Therefore, if you have conducted business and are worried about liability, if you have unresolved financial matters, including even an outstanding civil dispute, and you fear that you may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red Notice, expert legal advice should be sought immediately.

How Gherson can help

Those who fear that they may be subject to INTERPOL measures, including a Red (or Blue) Notice and diffusion, should take heed.

Indeed, Gherson Solicitors continue to receive requests for expert advice and assistance from those who fear they may have outstanding financial issues arising. That 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; and
4. Even exploring the possibility of instigating civil litigation proceedings to recover any misappropriated assets.

Gherson have previously written a series of blogs designed to assist those who fear they might be subject to INTERPOL measures (including a Blue and a Red Notice):

INTERPOL and Red Notice Challenges

How to Remove an INTERPOL Red Notice

INTERPOL Red Notices and Extradition

How do I know if I am subject to an INTERPOL Red Notice?

Gherson has over 30 years of experience in assisting with all aspects of INTERPOL, Red Notice challenges and extradition. If you would like to speak to us in respect of any of the issues raised in this blog or about 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.

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