Interpol Issues First Silver Notice for Ex-French Official Shokeen's Assets

New Delhi, May 27 (PTI): The Interpol has issued its first Silver Notice at India's request to trace the international assets linked to former French Embassy official Shubham Shokeen, who is under investigation for visa fraud, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday.

The Silver Notice is a recent addition to Interpol’s array of colour-coded alerts, launched this January to monitor illicit asset movements globally. This pilot initiative, which includes India among its participants, began with Italy's initial request for a Silver Notice.

Interpol operates nine different types of colour-coded Notices, each designated for specific information requests with member countries. For instance, a Red Notice seeks the detention of a fugitive, Blue seeks additional data, Black pertains to unidentified bodies, and Yellow concerns missing persons.

India is one of 51 member nations taking part in the initial phase of the Silver Notice program, a pilot effort that will continue through November.

During this pilot phase, each participating country can issue nine Silver Notices.

"By using Silver Notices and Diffusions, member countries can request data on assets tied to criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, environmental crime, and other major offenses," stated the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

This Notice aims to assist in locating, identifying, and gathering information concerning laundered assets, including properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses.

Countries can subsequently leverage this information for bilateral agreements, encompassing requests for asset seizure, confiscation, or recovery, contingent upon national laws, as indicated.

The Interpol has recently issued two Silver Notices following the CBI's request. The first, on May 23, targeted Shokeen, a Personnel Visas and Local Law Officer at the French Embassy in Delhi. The second, on May 26, focused on Amit Madanlal Lakhanpal, who is wanted by the Enforcement Directorate.

"Between September 2019 and May 2022, Shokeen conspired with accomplices to facilitate the unauthorized issuance of Schengen visas, collecting bribes between Rs 15,00,000 and Rs 45,00,000 per applicant," stated a CBI spokesperson.

Shokeen allegedly used crime proceeds to purchase six immovable properties in Dubai valued at 7,760,500 Dirhams (approximately Rs 15,73,51,250).

Previously, the CBI had requested a Blue Notice for Shokeen to ascertain his location.

As India's primary liaison with Interpol, the CBI processes all Interpol-related requests from national law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, Lakhanpal is accused of creating the unauthorized cryptocurrency MTC, which is not recognized by India, purportedly for his own financial benefit.

"He fraudulently persuaded investors to invest in MTC, accruing approximately Rs 113.10 crore, and did so without the requisite governmental or Reserve Bank of India permissions," according to the statement.

The CBI revealed that Lakhanpal failed to repay investors as he had promised when soliciting funds.

"He misappropriated the funds and deceived the investors. To attract people, he falsely claimed to be an authorized representative of the Ministry of Finance," added the agency.

The statement also noted India’s active submission of requests for Silver Notices in cases being explored by the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate, and the Narcotics Control Bureau.

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