The UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA) has issued its first Interpol Silver Notice to track and recover the criminal assets of Anoopkumar Maudhoo, a convicted fraudster of Indian origin. Maudhoo orchestrated a £8.5 million (approximately ₹90 crore) property scam in London and South-East England, deceiving people by selling properties he did not own. Through this notice, the NCA aims to locate assets hidden abroad by Maudhoo to compensate the victims.
Anoopkumar Maudhoo, an illegal immigrant, executed a well-planned scam between 2021 and 2024. He lured people with fake investment opportunities in seized properties, exploiting their trust. A shocking example of his deceit came to light in London’s Belgravia area, where he sold the same house to two different buyers. Properties in this area can fetch prices upwards of £10 million. Through this scam, Maudhoo amassed an illicit £8.5 million, which he used to purchase 19 high-value cars and a speedboat. The NCA has already seized his speedboat and cars, but investigators believe Maudhoo has hidden more assets in other countries, including Europe.
Interpol’s Silver Notice is a new initiative launched in January 2025. Its purpose is to track and seize criminal assets such as properties, vehicles, financial accounts, and businesses. This notice has been introduced as part of a pilot project involving 52 countries and territories, including India, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Russia, and the United States. The project will run at least until November 2025. The primary goal of the Silver Notice is to combat international organized crime and recover assets gained through crime, ensuring justice for victims.
NCA’s Detective Inspector Damien Barlow stated, “The scale of Maudhoo’s fraud is truly shocking. He showed no regard for his victims. We know he has strong connections in Europe, and this Silver Notice will help us collaborate with agencies in other countries to uncover his hidden assets.” Under this notice, Interpol member countries can share information about assets linked to criminal activities, such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, and environmental crimes.
In Maudhoo’s case, the NCA plans to seize his assets and sell them to compensate victims under the UK’s Proceeds of Crime Act. This scam has left many people financially and emotionally devastated. The joint effort by Interpol and the NCA will not only help punish criminals like Maudhoo but also ensure that the money earned through crime is used to support the victims.
This Silver Notice sends a stern message to criminals: no matter where they hide their ill-gotten gains, the law will pursue them. This initiative promotes international cooperation and strengthens the fight against global crime. As this pilot project progresses, it is hoped that more countries will join, making it even harder for criminals to conceal their illegal assets.
