NEWS

• For the first time, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has secured an Interpol Purple Notice (published on August 21).
• Objective: To alert investigative agencies across 196 member countries about the modus operandi of trade-based money laundering (TBML) through shell entities.

HIGHLIGHTS

Significance of Purple Notice

• Purpose: Shares information on criminal methods, devices, and concealment techniques.
• Difference: Unlike Red Notices (for individuals), Purple Notices focus on emerging threats and practices.
• Interpol Notices: Eight types – Red, Yellow, Blue, Black, Green, Orange, Purple, and Silver (pilot phase).

India’s Role

• ED aims to sensitise global counterparts on new laundering trends.
• Utilisation of platforms like:
  • Globe Network
  • Asset Recovery Interagency Network-Asia Pacific
• Focus on: Informal cooperation, timely intelligence sharing, shaping global anti-money laundering policies.
• Publishing of Purple Notice seen as a testimony to India’s growing leadership in international financial crime control.

About Interpol

• Founded: 1923; HQ: Lyon, France.
• Members: 196 countries.
• Status: Not a UN body, but Permanent Observer since 1996.
• Functions:
  • Facilitates police cooperation; no power to arrest.
  • Maintains databases (fingerprints, DNA, stolen docs).
  • Tackles global crimes: terrorism, trafficking, money laundering, illegal art trade.
• Languages: Notices issued in English, French, Spanish, Arabic.