INTERPOL ASIA UPDATE – Indonesian NCB plans to form a transnational crime task force

Indonesia’s response to rising transnational cybercrime

INTERPOL’s international coordination efforts continue to evolve, as authorities across Asia respond to the growing threat of transnational cybercrime and online fraud. Reports from Indonesia suggest that the country’s National Central Bureau (NCB) is now working alongside government ministries to establish a dedicated task force aimed at tackling increasingly sophisticated criminal networks.

These developments follow wider regional enforcement activity across Southeast Asia and reflect broader concerns about the movement of transnational scam operations into new jurisdictions. In this article, we examine the latest update from Indonesia, the wider regional context and the continued expansion of INTERPOL’s international enforcement mechanisms, including the growing use of the Silver Notice.

INTERPOL’s expanding international enforcement efforts

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

These include INTERPOL’s activities across China and Africa, a Singapore-lead operation, involving $15.5 million in seizures and a meeting between the Chinese and UK law enforcement authorities, which will likely result in strengthened coordination efforts between the two countries.

We are now going to turn to the events in Indonesia, which has been reported as becoming an emerging hub for transnational crime.

What is the latest update from Indonesia?

It has been reported that Indonesia’s National Central Bureau (NCB) of INTERPOL and Foreign Affairs Ministry are consolidating their efforts to form a task force to address transnational crime in the country.

This move is underpinned by an apparent shift of transnational crime to Indonesia and comes on the back of law enforcement actions against various online operational patterns, including fraud and scams, with digital fraudulent activity ranging from romance scams to investment scams and online gambling.

Further law enforcement activity has been conducted in surrounding regions of Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

More broadly, it has been reported that Indonesia is emerging as a new hub for transnational scam operations. Apparently, operations what were once concentrated in Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam are now being increasingly uncovered across Indonesia.

Reports reveal that, as part of an operation, the Indonesian police have already arrested 321 people, including 228 Vietnamese and 57 Chinese nationals.

What about other INTERPOL innovations?

We have recently written about a meeting among Asia-Pacific law enforcement experts focused on enhancing asset recovery efforts using INTERPOL Silver Notices and provided more details about the INTERPOL Silver Notice, whose growing use we continue to monitor closely.

Our reports on the topic include INTERPOL’s collaboration with Indian enforcement agencies to enhance international cooperation as well as with African law enforcement authorities to disrupt criminal activity by way of the INTERPOL Silver Notice. We have noted the inclusion of the INTERPOL Silver Notice in the agenda at the latest European Regional Conference and have reported on the UK City of London Police’s use of a Silver Notice and on tackling global cybercrime network via Operation Synergia III.

Since its inception in January 2025, the demand for the INTERPOL Silver Notice has grown exponentially. By the end of June 2025, INTERPOL reported over 50 published Silver Notices worldwide.

How Gherson can help

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

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

1. Establishing the best way to 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 suspect they may be subject to INTERPOL measures (including a Blue or 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?
• What is INTERPOL’s Silver Notice?
• INTERPOL UPDATE – India charges 8 people in first Interpol Silver Notice Case
• What is an INTERPOL Yellow Notice?
• What is an INTERPOL-United Nations Security Council Special Notice?
• What is an INTERPOL Purple Notice?
• What is an INTERPOL Green Notice, and can it be challenged?
• What is an INTERPOL Orange Notice, and can it be challenged?
• What is the purpose of an INTERPOL Blue Notice, and can it be challenged?
• What is an INTERPOL Blue Notice?

Gherson relies on over 37 years of experience in assisting with all aspects of INTERPOL 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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