Interpol traces €36 million in criminal assets with Silver Notice

Interpol is further expanding its so-called Silver Notice system, which enables police forces in 196 countries to share information to trace and seize criminal assets across borders. The system, which has been in a pilot phase since January 2025, has already uncovered at least €36 million in criminal assets in 82 countries. This concerns cash, cryptocurrency, vehicles and real estate. AP News reports.

In brief

• Interpol is expanding the Silver Notice system to all 196 member countries after a successful pilot period.
• 82 countries have so far traced at least €36 million in criminal assets.
• Full implementation will be voted on in November 2026 during the General Assembly in Hong Kong.

Criminals keep 99% of their illegal profits

Interpol states that criminals generally manage to keep around 99% of their illegal profits. The Silver Notice system is intended to reduce that percentage by better enabling law enforcement worldwide to trace and freeze assets.

Nicholas Court, director of task force coordination at Interpol, says that the 82 participating countries together have already found at least €36 million in criminal assets during the pilot period.

First Silver Notice targeted Italian mafia boss

The very first Silver Notice was requested by Italy for a high-ranking mafia boss. Following that notice, Brazil managed to identify several properties and other assets linked to the suspect and his contacts.

The system allows member states to inform each other quickly and in a structured way when they are looking for hidden criminal assets, regardless of the country in which they are located. Interpol members are expected to vote in November 2026 on the full implementation of the system, during the General Assembly in Hong Kong.