Singapore to work with Interpol member countries to track down assets linked to transnational crime

Singapore will work with member countries of global police organisation Interpol to track down assets linked to transnational crime.

- Samuel Devaraj

It follows the introduction of the Silver Notice, which Interpol announced on Jan 10. The alert is meant to assist law enforcement agencies in locating assets hidden overseas by individuals and groups involved in criminal activities.

In reply to queries from The Straits Times, the Singapore Police Force (SPF) said that it will apply national laws and policies in responding to the new notice.

Interpol has a number of colour-coded notices, which are international requests or alerts for cooperation from member countries.

The Red Notice, for example, is issued to seek the location and arrest of an individual wanted for prosecution or to serve a sentence.

Interpol's Silver Notice is being rolled out in a pilot phase involving 52 countries and territories, including Singapore. It will run until at least November.

SPF said the Silver Notice specifically targets illegal proceeds of crime.

A spokesperson said: "Member countries may seek information on criminal assets and subsequently use such information as a basis for bilateral engagement, including but not limited to bilateral requests for seizure, confiscation and/or forfeiture of assets subject to countries' respective domestic laws and policies."