- An Interpol red notice requests provisional arrest of a wanted person pending extradition - it is not an arrest warrant under international law.
- In UK financial crime cases, red notices are typically requested by the National Crime Agency (NCA) or the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) through the Home Office.
- UK authorities use the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) to pursue assets abroad even when the subject is not yet in custody.
- Not all countries honour red notices - enforcement depends on bilateral extradition treaties and domestic law.
Last reviewed: 28 June 2026
An Interpol red notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to provisionally arrest a wanted person. In UK financial crime cases, the National Crime Agency and Serious Fraud Office are the lead agencies requesting red notices through official channels.
| KEY FACTS - Interpol Red Notices | |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Not an international arrest warrant - a request to locate and provisionally arrest |
| Issued by | Interpol General Secretariat at member country request |
| UK requesting bodies | National Crime Agency (NCA), Serious Fraud Office (SFO), Metropolitan Police |
| Asset freezing power | Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) - separate from red notice |
| Interpol member countries | 196 member countries as of 2026 |
What Is an Interpol Red Notice?
Interpol red notices are international alerts circulated among the 196 member countries requesting law enforcement authorities to locate and provisionally arrest a person wanted by a national court or tribunal. Interpol itself is not a policing body and cannot make arrests directly.
A red notice does not carry the legal force of an arrest warrant in every country. Whether a country acts on a red notice depends on its domestic law and any extradition treaty with the requesting state.
Interpol publishes details of red notices that are not confidential on its public notices database at interpol.int. Many financial crime red notices remain restricted to law enforcement only.
How UK Authorities Request a Red Notice
In the UK, red notice requests are coordinated through the UK National Central Bureau at the National Crime Agency. The NCA liaises with the Home Office and with Interpol's General Secretariat in Lyon, France.
For financial crime cases, the Serious Fraud Office leads prosecutions of complex or serious fraud, bribery and corruption. The SFO works with the NCA to request red notices where a suspect has fled abroad ahead of or during an investigation.
The Metropolitan Police's Economic Crime Command handles fraud cases below the SFO threshold and can also request red notices via the NCA.
Asset Recovery Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002
A red notice covers the individual. Asset recovery is a separate legal process. Under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA), UK authorities can apply for restraint orders to freeze assets, confiscation orders to recover proceeds of crime, and civil recovery orders that operate independently of a criminal conviction.
POCA also provides for Unexplained Wealth Orders (UWOs), which require individuals to explain the origins of assets that appear disproportionate to their known lawful income. UWOs can be obtained against persons who are politically exposed or suspected of involvement in serious crime.
International asset recovery operates under bilateral Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) between the UK and the country holding the assets.
Limitations of Red Notices in Financial Crime Cases
Red notices have well-documented limitations in financial crime enforcement. Several countries, particularly those without extradition treaties with the UK, will not act on a red notice from UK authorities. Some jurisdictions that are common destinations for financial fugitives have historically been resistant to extradition requests in economic crime cases.
Interpol's Commission for the Control of Files (CCF) also reviews red notices challenged by subjects who claim the notice is politically motivated or procedurally improper. A successful CCF challenge results in deletion of the red notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Interpol red notice the same as an international arrest warrant?
No. A red notice is a request for law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a person. Whether a country acts on it depends on its domestic law and its extradition relationship with the requesting country. Interpol has no power to compel any country to make an arrest.
Can UK authorities freeze assets abroad without a red notice?
Yes. Asset freezing is handled separately through the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and through Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties. The NCA can seek international freezing orders through diplomatic and legal channels independently of whether a red notice has been issued.
What is the Serious Fraud Office?
The SFO is an independent government department operating under the superintendence of the Attorney General. It investigates and prosecutes serious or complex fraud, bribery and corruption in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its jurisdiction requires cases to meet a threshold of seriousness or complexity before it will accept them.
How long does an Interpol red notice last?
Red notices are reviewed every five years. They remain active unless cancelled by the requesting country, deleted by Interpol's Commission for the Control of Files, or until the subject is arrested and extradited or the requesting country withdraws the notice.
