CBI Uses INTERPOL Silver Notice in Visa Fraud Case First Time

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has presented a chargesheet against eight persons, including a law officer of the French Embassy in New Delhi, in a big Schengen visa fraud racket. The accused is said to have used their office to grant visas on bribes and would target the applicants especially those of Punjab origin. The case is also the first uses of INTERPOL Silver Notice in India in order to locate assets which were purchased with illegal proceeds.

Launch and Purpose:

• Introduced in 2025 to follow and repatriate criminal assets.

• It was designed to fight transnational organized crime and to increase international police cooperation.

• The notice system assists in monitoring economical fugitives and criminal property beyond nationwide borders.

Pilot Phase:

• The Silver Notice is still at a pilot stage with 51 countries, pilot phase will last till November 2025.

• The period allows each country to request a total of nine Silver Notices.

India's Role:

• Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is the nodal agency in India in relation to INTERPOL.

• CBI facilitates requests by Indian law enforcement agencies to INTERPOL to seek international Inc strangers.

• The CBI has also come up with BHARATPOL that gives central and state agencies in India real-time access to INTERPOL data. Such a system aids in addressing crimes such as cybercrime and trafficking.

INTERPOL’s Colour-coded Notices:

• Notices are messages or requests of cooperation among 196 INTERPOL member countries.

• Nine various coloured notices of different purposes, including:

  • Red Notices of individuals sought in connection with grave criminal offenses.

  • Blue Notices to collect information regarding the identity or activities of an individual.

  • Green Notices of criminal activity warning.

Notices may also be given on request of:

• Serious crimes such as genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity are dealt with by the International Criminal Tribunals or the International Criminal Court.

• Sanctions of the UN Security Council to take effect.

Conclusion

The INTERPOL Silver Notice deployed by India is a game changer in the history of international policing cooperation. Not only does it focus on economic fugitives, but it also expands cross-border asset tracing. There are diplomatic and procedural issues involved with an official of the French Embassy involved. Since the Silver Notice pilot is ongoing until November 2025, there can be more such high-profile cases that fall under its radar. The step beefs up the Indian position on combating financial crimes and safeguarding visa integrity.