Interpol Rolls Out Silver Notice to Trace Hidden Criminal Assets

Interpol is introducing a new alert system designed to help police forces across the world trace and seize criminal wealth hidden in foreign jurisdictions. The tool, known as the Silver Notice, allows the organisation's 196 member countries to alert one another and cooperate when hunting for cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles, real estate and other illicit assets.

The system has been under trial since January 2025, with 82 countries taking part. According to Interpol, those trials have already led to the discovery of at least €36 million ($41 million) in criminal assets. The organisation notes that criminals have generally managed to retain around 99% of their illegal gains, and the new alert is intended to make it easier for police to trace and seize a larger share.

Nicholas Court, director of task force coordination at Interpol, said the notice enables law enforcement officials to send a global message about a suspect's wealth. In simple terms, he explained, it lets investigators tell the rest of the world that a particular criminal is worth a certain amount and that they want to know where their cars, boats, cash, livestock and other assets are located.

The first Silver Notice circulated to members, in January last year, was requested by Italy in connection with a senior mafia figure. Italian authorities knew the individual was extremely wealthy but believed most of his money lay outside Italy. Within days, Brazil responded after searching its databases and found numerous assets registered in the criminal's name or those of associates, including property, apartments and livestock. The two countries are now in talks to return the assets from Brazil to Italy.

Court said the notice also helps police forces work together to ensure illicit money is returned to the right country. Member nations are expected to approve the tool's full adoption at Interpol's general assembly, which meets in Hong Kong in November.

Interpol's best-known colour-coded alert is the Red Notice, used when member nations are hunting for people suspected of major crimes. The Silver Notice is the first new colour-coded alert the organisation has introduced in at least 20 years.