What Is an INTERPOL Purple Notice?
An INTERPOL Purple Notice is a special alert issued to collect or share information on the modus operandi (MO), objects, devices, or concealment methods used by criminals. Unlike Red Notices, which seek the location or arrest of wanted individuals, Purple Notices focus on how crimes are committed, not who committed them.
According to INTERPOL’s Rules on the Processing of Data (RPD), a Purple Notice is meant to help law enforcement agencies identify, analyze, and prevent similar crimes by tracking patterns and techniques used globally. The notice serves as a powerful tool in cross-border policing, especially in evolving threats such as cybercrime, smuggling, and terrorism.
Key characteristics of INTERPOL Purple Notices:
- Shared only among INTERPOL member states
- Non-public and primarily intelligence-based
- Focused on criminal methodology, not people
- Often precursors to further investigations or arrests
Legal Basis and Purpose of Purple Notices
Under INTERPOL’s legal framework, Purple Notices are regulated by the RPD (Rules on the Processing of Data), specifically Article 82, which permits the circulation of alerts describing criminal tools or tactics that may recur in multiple jurisdictions.
The rationale is preventive: by warning global police forces about criminal methods in use elsewhere, countries can adapt security measures, update intelligence protocols, and cooperate more effectively. However, the system also comes with legal and human rights implications—especially when such data indirectly points to individuals or political groups.
How Is an INTERPOL Purple Notice Issued?
The process starts with a National Central Bureau (NCB) of any INTERPOL member country. If the NCB uncovers a unique or dangerous method used to commit a crime, it may submit a request to the INTERPOL General Secretariat to issue a Purple Notice.
The steps include:
- Collection of Evidence
The NCB gathers documentation, surveillance, forensic reports, or expert findings related to the criminal tactic. - Submission of Request
The NCB files a request through INTERPOL’s secure network (I-24/7), including supporting documents, photos, or analysis. - Review by INTERPOL
The General Secretariat evaluates whether the request complies with the legal and data standards outlined in INTERPOL’s framework. - Dissemination to Member States
Once approved, the Purple Notice is made available to all 196 member countries via INTERPOL’s databases.
Unlike Red, Yellow, or Blue Notices, Purple Notices are not publicly searchable on INTERPOL’s website, as their content may involve sensitive techniques or intelligence data.
Common Use Cases of Purple Notices in 2025
As crime becomes increasingly transnational and technical, INTERPOL Purple Notices are now frequently used for:
1. Cybercrime Patterns
- New forms of phishing attacks
- Distribution methods of ransomware
- Use of blockchain mixers in laundering
2. Drug Smuggling Techniques
- Hidden compartments in vehicles or boats
- Innovative packaging to evade scanners
- Use of drones for cross-border drops
3. Human Trafficking Logistics
- Routes and deception tactics used to transport victims
- Use of fake recruitment agencies
- Methods to bypass biometric border checks
4. Document Forgery and Identity Theft
- Advanced forgery techniques of passports and IDs
- Template reuse detected in multiple countries
- Common software or printers linked to known crime groups
5. Terrorism-Related Intelligence
- Weapons concealment methods
- Planning and recruitment techniques
- Coding languages or communication methods used online
These notices play a vital role in helping countries identify criminal trends early, adapt investigative methods, and train border and customs officers accordingly.
Is a Purple Notice Publicly Accessible?
No. INTERPOL Purple Notices are not published in the public-facing section of INTERPOL’s website.
However, this doesn’t mean the data is inaccessible to all. Purple Notices are:
- Shared across all INTERPOL member countries
- Often accessible to domestic law enforcement, border officials, and select government agencies
- Occasionally referenced indirectly in other legal or intelligence documents
Risk of Exposure:
While Purple Notices don’t name individuals, methods can sometimes be traced back to specific groups, regions, or known suspects, which can raise red flags at airports, immigration desks, or during visa vetting processes.
Legal Risks and Consequences of a Purple Notice
While the Purple Notice may seem benign because it doesn’t directly accuse or name an individual, its indirect effects can be severe, especially if you’re associated with a flagged MO or toolset.
Potential Legal Risks:
- Surveillance inclusion without formal charges
- Visa rejections due to intelligence-sharing across jurisdictions
- Cross-border suspicion leading to questioning or detentions
- Pretext for search warrants or asset freezes
In some cases, journalists, activists, or technologists have been linked to certain methodologies and consequently faced legal or administrative actions—even without formal accusations.
Real-World Example (Hypothetical, Based on Patterns)
In early 2025, INTERPOL issued a Purple Notice describing a new technique for ATM skimming involving a disguised pinhole camera placed under the keypad, connected via Bluetooth to a device hidden 50 meters away. While the notice did not name individuals, a software developer in South Asia working on Bluetooth security research was repeatedly flagged during international travel, simply due to keyword overlaps in his public work.
INTERPOL Purple Notice vs Other Notice Types
| Notice Type | Purpose | Targets People? | Publicly Listed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Notice | Seek arrest/extradition | Yes | Yes |
| Blue Notice | Locate or identify someone | Yes | No |
| Green Notice | Warn about criminal behavior | Yes | Sometimes |
| Purple Notice | Describe criminal methods (MO) | No | No |
| Orange Notice | Warn about imminent threats or devices | Sometimes | Sometimes |
| Yellow Notice | Locate missing persons | Yes | Yes |
| Black Notice | Identify unidentified bodies | No | Yes |
Can You Challenge a Purple Notice?
Since Purple Notices don’t target specific individuals, you can’t “remove” a Purple Notice the same way you can challenge a Red Notice. However, if your personal data is embedded in or derived from the content of a Purple Notice, you do have rights.
Legal Remedies:
- Request access to your data via the Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF)
- Demand deletion or correction if:
- Your identity was wrongly included in internal files
- The information violates data protection laws
- Engage a legal counsel with international law experience to file formal submissions under INTERPOL’s internal rules
Proactive Legal Steps:
- Review travel patterns and border rejections
- Seek explanations under Freedom of Information or Data Protection Acts (like GDPR)
- Consult experts on INTERPOL data audits
Preventive Legal Tips (Especially for Professionals)
If you are:
- A cybersecurity researcher
- A cryptocurrency developer
- A journalist investigating organized crime
- A frequent traveler to high-risk areas
…then you may inadvertently become linked to Purple Notice content. Here’s what you can do:
- Avoid publishing technical details that can be misunderstood
- Encrypt sensitive communication
- Use legal disclaimers when publishing whitepapers or analysis
- Monitor your digital footprint for patterns that may align with known MO
- Retain a lawyer familiar with INTERPOL database policies
FAQs About INTERPOL Purple Notices
Q1: Can a Purple Notice lead to arrest?
No, but it can contribute to surveillance or travel flags that eventually result in detainment.
Q2: Is a Purple Notice the same as a watchlist?
No, it’s a method-sharing alert. However, if your behavior matches the MO described, you may be flagged.
Q3: Can I access a Purple Notice about myself?
Not directly. But you can file a data access request through the CCF if your personal data is involved.
Q4: Can governments misuse Purple Notices?
Yes. Authoritarian regimes may submit such notices to monitor dissidents or NGOs under the guise of method tracking.
Q5: Can I get legal help?
Yes. Specialized international law firms and INTERPOL lawyers offer representation for data removal or CCF complaints.
Conclusion – Understanding the Surveillance Behind the Scenes
While not as widely discussed as Red or Blue Notices, the INTERPOL Purple Notice is one of the most influential tools in modern global policing. It enables nations to collaborate on the tactical side of crime fighting—yet also opens the door to privacy risks, surveillance misuse, and legal gray zones.
If you’re a professional whose work could be interpreted as linked to criminal methods — or if you believe you’re being monitored due to an INTERPOL intelligence leak — seek legal advice immediately.
International cooperation must never come at the cost of transparency, legal fairness, or human rights.