Interpol’s Silver Notice: A New Tool for Asset Recovery

Interpol’s Silver Notice: A New Tool for Asset Recovery

Interpol has introduced a new significant addition to its array of crime-fighting tools: the Silver Notice. This new category of notice, launched in January 2025 as a two-year pilot program, aims to assist law enforcement agencies worldwide in tracking down assets tied to criminal activity. While the system is still in its early stages and Silver Notices are not yet publicly available on Interpol’s website, its potential impact on transnational crime is significant.

What Is the Silver Notice?

The Silver Notice acts as an alert system, informing member countries that a particular nation is seeking information on assets allegedly linked to crimes such as fraud, drug trafficking, and other serious offenses. This can include bank accounts, properties, vehicles, and businesses suspected of being obtained through illicit activities. The ultimate goal? To trace and recover these criminal proceeds for the requesting country.

Minimum Criteria for Issuance

For a Silver Notice to be issued, it must meet the following key requirements:

1. Person Under Investigation – The notice must relate to an individual currently subject to a criminal investigation.
2. Serious Crime Threshold – The crime in question must carry a penalty of at least four years of imprisonment, as outlined in Article 2(b) of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.
3. No Minimum Asset Value – Unlike other asset recovery tools, a Silver Notice does not require a minimum monetary threshold for issuance.

Italy’s Role in the First Silver Notice

Italy became the first country to utilize the Silver Notice system, seeking information on assets linked to an alleged senior mafia member. While details remain undisclosed, this case highlights how nations can leverage this tool to track down financial resources linked to organized crime.

Who’s Participating?

As this is a pilot program, only select Interpol member countries are currently involved. These include nations across multiple continents, such as:

• Europe: France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Poland, Netherlands, UK
• Americas: United States, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, Uruguay
• Asia & Middle East: China, India, Iraq, Korea, Qatar
• Africa: Algeria, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa
• Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

This diverse participation underscores global interest in streamlining cross-border asset tracking and recovery.

What’s Next?

With the pilot program set to run for two years, the effectiveness of the Silver Notice will be closely monitored. If successful, it could become a permanent fixture in Interpol’s toolbox, enhancing international cooperation in combatting financial crime.

Stay tuned for further updates as Interpol evaluates and refines this powerful new mechanism for asset recovery.