Interpol Notices

Interpol notices

INTERPOL Notices are international alerts allowing member nations’ law enforcement agencies to share crucial crime-related information.

These notices are issued by the General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s INTERPOL National Central Bureau and are accessible in the Interpol Notices database for all member nations to view.

Ask about Interpol Notices!

Interpol Notices

Interpol color-coded Notices allow governments to share alerts and information requests globally.

Notices can also be issued at the request of International Criminal Tribunals and the International Criminal Court to find those sought for crimes committed under their authority, such as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. They can also be issued at the request of the United Nations in regard to the enforcement of Security Council sanctions.

Notice TypeColorPurpose
RedRedTo seek the arrest or provisional arrest of wanted persons, with a view to extradition.
BlueBlueTo locate, identify, or obtain information about individuals of interest in criminal investigations or to identify unidentified bodies.
GreenGreenTo warn and provide information about individuals who have committed criminal offenses and are likely to repeat these crimes in other countries.
YellowYellowTo locate and identify missing persons, especially minors or individuals unable to identify themselves.
BlackBlackTo seek information about unidentified bodies.
OrangeOrangeTo warn and provide information about potential threats from individuals, objects, or events that could harm public safety, security, or health.
PurplePurpleTo provide information about modus operandi, objects, devices, and concealment methods used by criminals.

 

Most Notices are for police use only, but if the requesting nation decides to inform the public or seek their help, an excerpt may be posted on this site. All United Nations Special Notices are accessible to the public.

Types of Interpol Notices

Types of Interpol Notices

Interpol Notices are crucial for global law enforcement cooperation, serving various purposes. The Red Notice helps locate and apprehend international fugitives. Blue Notices gather information on individuals related to a crime, while Green Notices warn about criminal threats. Yellow Notices aid in finding missing persons, especially vulnerable ones, and Black Notices provide data on unidentified bodies. Orange Notices give general warnings about imminent threats, and Purple Notices centralize information on criminal methods and devices. These notices enhance international efforts to combat crime and promote a safer world.

Let’s recap:

  • Red Notice: To locate and apprehend individuals wanted for prosecution or to fulfill a sentence.
  • Yellow Notice: To assist in the location of missing persons, generally juveniles, or in the identification of those who are unable to identify themselves.
  • Blue Notice: To gather further information regarding a person’s identity, whereabouts, or actions in connection with a criminal inquiry.
  • Black Notice: To seek information about unidentified bodies, issue a black notice.
  • Green Notice: To issue a warning about a person’s unlawful activity when the individual has been deemed a potential threat to public safety.
  • Orange Notice: To alert the public to an event, a person, an item, or a process that poses a significant and urgent hazard to public safety.
  • Purple Notice: To seek or offer information about criminals’ methods of operation, objects, gadgets, and concealing tactics.
  • INTERPOL–United Nations Security Council Special Notice: Issued for organizations and persons who are the targets of UN Security Council Sanctions Committees.

Interpol Notices vs Diffusions

 

Interpol Diffusions are essential for global law enforcement and security, facilitating communication and collaboration among international police agencies. These alerts allow Interpol’s 194 member countries to quickly share information related to criminal investigations, including wanted persons, missing persons, assets, and threats. In the face of increasingly complex transnational criminal activities and threats to international peace, Interpol Diffusions play a crucial role. By pooling intelligence across borders, these alerts equip frontline officers with the information needed to proactively identify, track, and apprehend individuals of interest, enhancing global safety and security.

Wanted persons diffusions published per year

20172018201920202021
16,04815,76315,69713,61812,940

New data reveals 1,000 Red Notices and Wanted Person diffusions rejected or deleted each year

INTERPOL has released new statistics on its Red Notices and Wanted Person diffusions. These statistics show that the agency rejects or deletes 1,000 of these notices annually. Nearly half of these rejections are due to human rights concerns or violations of INTERPOL’s neutrality. Fair Trials welcomes this transparency initiative, as they have long advocated for greater openness in INTERPOL’s operations.

Significant figures about Interpol Notices

  • INTERPOL has rejected or deleted an average of 1,000 Red Notices and Wanted Person diffusions every year over the last five years.
  • On human rights concerns, 150 Red Notices and Wanted Person diffusions were removed in 2021. Another 353 were removed because they were political, military, religious, or racial in nature.
  • There are around 25,000 Red Notices and Wanted People distributions in circulation, with approximately 10,000 new Red Notices issued each year.
Interpol Lawyer Dmytro Konovalenko
Dmytro Konovalenko
Senior Partner
Lawyer specializing in extradition and Interpol cases, with membership in the International Bar Association. In five years of practice, Dmitry has defended clients against persecution by law enforcement agencies in the United States, Russia, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Russia and other countries. He has successfully applied measures to prevent a manhunt at early stages and specializes in defending in complex cases involving economic, political and military charges.

Interpol Notices FAQ

What is the highest notice in Interpol?
The most well-known notice is the red notice, which is "the closest thing we have today to an international arrest warrant." At the request of the UN Security Council, an eighth special notice is sent out.
What is Interpol color coded notices?
Interpol sends out eight kinds of international notices, and most of them are color-coded. They are the Red Notice, the Green Notice, the Yellow Notice, the Orange Notice, the Blue Notice, the Purple Notice, the Black Notice, and the INTERPOL–United Nations Security Council Special Notice.
What crimes get you on INTERPOL?
Coordinated by INTERPOL, the operation targets fugitives wanted for major crimes such as murder, sexual abuse of children, human smuggling, fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, environmental crimes, and money laundering.
How do I know if my name is on INTERPOL?
You may view INTERPOL's "wanted individuals" section online. This page contains excerpts from several Red Notices, but not all. If your name appears on this page, it will also provide a very general description of the crime for which you are sought, such as "stealing."
What are the 7 types of notices in INTERPOL?
Diffusions conform to the Notices color-coding scheme, therefore there are red, yellow, blue, black, green, purple, and orange diffusions. Diffusions must adhere to INTERPOL's Constitution and the Regulations on the Handling of Data.
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