On 10 January, INTERPOL made history by issuing its first ever Silver Notice, a new tool designed to trace and recover criminal assets. The inaugural notice, requested by Italy, focuses on identifying assets linked to a senior mafia member, showcasing its potential to strike at the heart of criminal networks.
The Silver Notice, launched as part of a pilot programme involving 52 countries and territories, is the latest addition to INTERPOL’s colour-coded system of Notices and Diffusions. These mechanisms facilitate international police cooperation by sharing alerts and requests for information across borders. With the Silver Notice, countries can now request details about assets linked to a person’s criminal activities, with the aim of locating, identifying and recovering criminal property.
The pilot phase, set to run until November 2025, allows participating countries to collectively request up to 500 Silver Notices and Diffusions. INTERPOL has emphasised that each request will be reviewed by the General Secretariat to ensure compliance with its rules and to prevent misuse for political purposes, as mandated by Article 3 of INTERPOL’s Constitution. Extracts of Silver Notices will not be published on INTERPOL’s website during the pilot phase.
However, the success of the Silver Notice will depend on safeguarding its integrity. Allegations of financial crimes are often weaponised by states against political opponents or business rivals, or for other improper purposes. To avoid such abuses, the pilot’s implementation and outcomes must be monitored closely. INTERPOL has established mechanisms for challenging and removing politically motivated Red Notices, and a similar framework must be applied to Silver Notices. Transparent criteria for issuing and rescinding these notices will be critical in maintaining trust and fairness.
The pilot’s efficacy will also hinge on robust oversight. INTERPOL’s General Assembly has tasked its Expert Working Group on Asset Tracing and Recovery with designing safeguards, assessing costs, and providing feedback during the pilot phase. A detailed report on the pilot’s outcomes is expected at the 93rd General Assembly session. Engagement with those with experience of seeking deletion of notices will be crucial as part of this process.
Further information
If you have any questions regarding this blog, please contact Rebecca Niblock or Will Hayes in our Criminal team.
About the authors
Rebecca Niblock is a leading criminal lawyer, with a specialism in dealing with complex matters that cross jurisdictions. She is ranked as a Star Individual by Chambers & Partners UK in the field of Crime: Extradition and is recommended in Who’s Who: Business Crime Defence Lawyers.
Will Hayes is a Legal Director in the criminal litigation team with a practice focussing predominantly on serious and complex crime, extradition and INTERPOL Red Notices.
