Cracking Down on Hidden Wealth
Interpol’s Silver Notice: A Global Crackdown on Hidden Criminal Wealth : A major shift is underway in the fight against global crime—not by chasing criminals, but by chasing their money. On January 10, 2025, Interpol launched the Silver Notice, a brand-new alert system designed to track down stolen or laundered assets hidden across borders.
Unlike the well-known Red Notice, which helps nab fugitives, the Silver Notice helps authorities trace and recover assets—from luxury properties to bank accounts—linked to money laundering, corruption, drug trade, and terrorism financing.
India is one of 52 countries participating in this first-of-its-kind pilot initiative.
Why the Silver Notice Was Needed
Criminals often escape, but more frustratingly, their wealth disappears into shell companies, offshore havens, or luxury cars bought in someone else’s name. In fact, Interpol estimates that 99% of criminal assets are never recovered.
That’s the gap this new system is trying to close. It allows police forces to share confidential asset-tracing information faster and more securely, giving countries like India an edge in long-pending financial crime cases.
Imagine a scamster wiring money into a front company in Europe—Silver Notice can now help track that trail before it vanishes for good.
How the Silver Notice Actually Works
This isn’t a notice you’ll see on a website or in the news. Silver Notices are not made public. They quietly circulate between trusted law enforcement agencies, with each request carefully reviewed by Interpol’s General Secretariat.
There are guardrails too. Interpol ensures these notices can’t be used for political harassment or personal vendettas. Each country is limited to 500 notices during the pilot phase, running until November 2025.
So, it’s smart, secure, and selective.
India’s Role and What It Gains
For India, the timing couldn’t be better. From high-profile fugitives like Nirav Modi and Vijay Mallya to organized financial crimes, the struggle has always been not just catching the criminal—but getting the money back.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI now have a sharper tool to collaborate internationally and recover assets swiftly. Even mid-level frauds with foreign links, like illegal fund transfers through shell firms, can be tackled using this system.
India isn’t just a participant—it’s a strong test case for how developing countries can benefit from smarter global policing.
Static GK Snapshot for Competitive Exams
Interpol’s Silver Notice: A Global Crackdown on Hidden Criminal Wealth :
| Topic | Fact |
| Notice Name | Silver Notice |
| Purpose | Track & recover criminal assets across borders |
| Launch Date | January 10, 2025 (pilot phase) |
| Approved By | Interpol General Assembly 2023 |
| Participating Countries | 52, including India |
| Public Visibility | Confidential – Not visible to the public |
| Request Limit | 500 notices per country during pilot |
| Key Users in India | CBI, ED (for economic offences and global coordination) |
