New Delhi, May 28 (PTI) — Interpol has, for the first time, issued a Silver notice at India's request to track the global assets of Shubham Shokeen, a former officer at the French Embassy accused of visa fraud, as per officials.
The Silver notice, a new color-coded alert introduced by Interpol this January, is designed to trace illicit assets across international borders. The initiative, which counts India among its participating countries, began with Italy's involvement, marking the first issuance of a Silver notice.
Interpol employs nine different color-coded notices, each serving a distinct function. For example, Red notices aim to detain fugitives, Blue seeks additional details, Black pertains to unidentified bodies, and Yellow is for missing persons.
India is one of the 51 member nations in the first phase of Silver notice issuance. This pilot project is set to run until November, with each country allowed to publish up to nine Silver notices.
"Through Silver notices and Diffusions, countries can request information on assets linked to criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, environmental crime, and other serious offences," stated the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday.
The CBI explained that these notices aid in locating, identifying, and gathering data about laundered assets, including properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses.
Such information may be used as a basis for bilateral engagement, including requests for asset seizure, confiscation, or recovery, in compliance with national laws, according to the agency.
As per the statement, Interpol swiftly issued two Silver notices following requests from the CBI. The first, on May 23, targeted Shokeen, a Personnel Visas and Local Law Officer at the French Embassy in Delhi, while the second, on May 26, was against Amit Madanlal Lakhanpal, sought by the Enforcement Directorate.
"Between September 2019 and May 2022, Shokeen allegedly conspired with others to facilitate Schengen Visa issuance by collecting illegal gratuities ranging from Rs 15,00,000 to Rs 45,00,000 per applicant," according to a CBI spokesperson.
The accused is said to have used his illicit earnings to purchase six properties in Dubai worth 7,760,500 dirhams (approximately Rs 15,73,51,250).
Previously, the CBI had a Blue notice issued to track Shokeen's location.
The CBI serves as India's main liaison for Interpol-related matters, channeling all law enforcement requests through its offices.
Lakhanpal, wanted by the Enforcement Directorate, allegedly created an unrecognized cryptocurrency, MTC, to facilitate financial gain, according to the statement.
"He coaxed investors into MTC, amassing about Rs 113.10 crore, despite lacking necessary government or Reserve Bank of India permissions," it added.
The CBI alleged that Lakhanpal failed to return the deposited funds to investors as promised during fund collection.
"He misappropriated the funds and defrauded investors while falsely claiming to represent the Ministry of Finance," the agency explained.
The CBI reported that India has submitted requests for Silver notice issuance in various investigations conducted by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Narcotics Control Bureau.
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