INTERPOL is enhancing its Silver Notice programme, a tool that enables police authorities in various countries to request information about assets potentially tied to criminal investigations. As reported by AP on September 18, a total of 82 countries are currently involved in the programme, with authorities having identified approximately €36 million ($41 million) in assets linked to criminal probes.
Launched in January 2025, the Silver Notice system encompasses a wide range of assets including cryptocurrency, cash, real estate, vehicles, businesses, and other properties. This initiative allows investigators to seek information about assets in different jurisdictions that are pertinent to ongoing criminal cases.
A Silver Notice permits investigators in one country to inquire with participating jurisdictions about the presence of assets related to a criminal investigation within their borders. Nicholas Court, INTERPOL’s Director of Task Force Coordination, explained that authorities can issue notices to gather information regarding assets associated with specific cases. Upon receiving the request, authorities can then search their databases for relevant financial or property records.
Notably, cryptocurrency is included in asset searches conducted under the programme. In cases involving digital assets, information obtained through a Silver Notice can be combined with blockchain analytics, financial intelligence, and domestic investigative records to track the movement of suspected proceeds. It’s important to highlight that the mechanism does not directly trace blockchain transactions or authorize the seizure of digital assets but rather facilitates access to information held by authorities in different jurisdictions.
The programme is applicable to various crimes such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and human trafficking. The first Silver Notice was submitted by Italy in January 2025 during an investigation into a senior mafia figure. Subsequent collaboration between Italian and Brazilian authorities led to the identification of property and livestock linked to the suspect, showcasing the programme’s effectiveness in asset recovery efforts.
It’s worth noting that the Silver Notice differs from INTERPOL’s Red Notice, which seeks the location and provisional arrest of individuals wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence. While the Red Notice pertains to individuals, the Silver Notice focuses on asset-related information in criminal investigations.
Given the increasing complexity of crypto-related cases where proceeds can move across various platforms and jurisdictions, the need for cross-border information sharing is crucial. The programme serves as a valuable tool for investigators to combine blockchain analysis with information from exchanges, financial institutions, and government agencies to unravel complex crypto-related crimes.
As the evaluation of the Silver Notice programme continues, member countries are set to deliberate on its potential expansion at INTERPOL’s General Assembly in November. Any decision to broaden the mechanism would hinge on individual jurisdictions and their domestic procedures for asset identification, freezing, seizing, and recovery. In cryptocurrency investigations, the mechanism would serve as an additional resource for sharing information alongside blockchain analytics and international law enforcement cooperation.
In conclusion, the Silver Notice programme represents a significant step towards enhancing international cooperation in combating financial crimes and recovering illicit assets. As authorities navigate the evolving landscape of digital assets and cross-border crimes, initiatives like the Silver Notice play a vital role in strengthening global efforts to combat financial crime.