Fake Red Notices are used in extortion and fraud. A genuine notice is verifiable only through the CCF — never through any document presented by a third party. If someone claims you have an Interpol notice, do not pay; file a CCF access request to confirm. The Commission's written response is the only authoritative confirmation of whether a notice exists.
The use of fake Interpol notices in extortion and fraud is a well-documented problem. A fraudster produces a document that looks like a Red Notice — complete with the Interpol logo, a photograph, and biographical details — and presents it to the victim as evidence that they are wanted. The fraudster then demands payment to "resolve" the notice or to prevent its circulation. The victim, frightened by the prospect of an international alert, pays. The notice was never real.
How Fake Red Notices Are Used
The scam takes several forms. In the most common version, the fraudster contacts the victim by email or phone, claims to be an Interpol official or a lawyer, and states that a Red Notice has been issued against them. The fraudster produces a document that appears to be an Interpol Red Notice — sometimes a fabricated document, sometimes a real public Red Notice with the victim's name and photo substituted. The fraudster demands payment to "delete" the notice or to prevent its dissemination.
In another version, the fraudster targets business executives involved in commercial disputes. The fraudster, who may be associated with the counterparty in the dispute, produces a fake Red Notice and threatens to circulate it unless the dispute is settled on favourable terms. The executive, fearing international travel consequences, complies.
In a third version, the fraudster produces a fake Interpol "clearance certificate" — a document that purportedly confirms the subject is not wanted. The fraudster offers to obtain this certificate for a fee. The certificate is fabricated and has no legal value, but the victim believes they have purchased certainty.
Critical Warning
Interpol does not contact individuals by email or phone to demand payment. Interpol does not issue "clearance certificates" for a fee. Any document presented by a third party as a Red Notice can be verified only through a CCF access request. If someone demands payment to "resolve" an Interpol notice, it is a scam.
How to Verify Whether a Notice Is Genuine
The only authoritative confirmation of whether an Interpol notice exists is the CCF's written response to an access request. No document presented by a third party — whether a fraudster, a consultant, or a self-proclaimed "Interpol agent" — has any probative value. The verification process is the same as for any access request.
- Do not pay: If someone demands payment to "resolve" or "delete" an Interpol notice, do not pay. Payment does not resolve a genuine notice, and it encourages the fraudster.
- Do not rely on the document presented: A document presented by a third party as a Red Notice may be fabricated or altered. Even if it appears on the public Interpol website, verify through the CCF, because public notices can be screenshot and manipulated.
- File a CCF access request: Counsel files a CCF access request asking whether any notice, diffusion, or data record exists in your name. The Commission's written response is the only authoritative confirmation.
- Report the extortion attempt: If the fraudster demanded payment, report the extortion to law enforcement. Extortion using fake Interpol documents is a criminal offence in most jurisdictions.
The Difference Between Public and Private Notices
A genuine public Red Notice can be found on Interpol's website by searching the subject's name. If the notice is genuine and public, it will appear in the search results. However, the absence of a public result does not mean no notice exists — most notices are private. And the presence of a public notice does not validate any document presented by a third party — the third party may have screenshotted the public notice and used it to extort the subject.
In one case, a client was contacted by email by a person claiming to be an "Interpol liaison officer" who stated that a Red Notice had been issued against the client. The email included a document that appeared to be a Red Notice, complete with the Interpol logo and the client's photo. The sender demanded €50,000 to "delete" the notice. The client contacted our practice, and counsel filed a CCF access request. The Commission's response confirmed that no notice, diffusion, or data record existed in the client's name. The document was fabricated. Counsel reported the extortion attempt to the Swiss authorities.
What to Do in Practice: Secure Your Clearance
If someone claims you have an Interpol notice and demands payment, do not pay. File a CCF access request through counsel to obtain authoritative confirmation. The Commission's written response is the only document that can definitively confirm or deny the existence of a notice. Any document presented by a third party is worthless as evidence.
If you suspect your name is on an international watchlist or have an upcoming flight, do not leave your freedom to chance at a passport terminal. A confidential Interpol lookup or a comprehensive Pre-Travel Legal Check filed through Swiss legal counsel secures absolute clarity within days. Contact our Basel office confidentially to secure your legal travel shield.