Interpol Blue Notices

Our Lawyers Can Help if You Have Been Named in an Interpol Blue Notice

Attorney Nick OberheidenInterpol Blue Notice
Team Lead

We represent U.S. and foreign nationals who have been named in Interpol Blue Notices. The International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) administers a system of notices that law enforcement agencies around the world use to conduct cross-border investigations, seek persons wanted, and pursue serious criminal charges. As a result, being named in an Interpol Blue Notice is an extremely serious matter. Our lawyers can deal with Interpol and U.S. and international law enforcement agencies on your behalf, using our deep experience in international defense to protect you by all means available.

Understanding Your Interpol Blue Notice

What does it mean if you are the subject of an Interpol Blue Notice? As Interpol explains, national law enforcement agencies in its member countries can use Blue Notices to “collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or a person’s criminal activities in relation to an investigation.” The United States is an Interpol member country along with 195 other countries around the world.

Being the subject of an Interpol Blue Notice does not mean that you are wanted for arrest. If you were wanted for arrest, you would have been named in a Red Notice instead. However, investigations conducted pursuant to Blue Notices can (and often do) lead to the issuance of Red Notices, so you need to take your situation very seriously.

With that said, law enforcement agencies around the world use Blue Notices to obtain critical crime-related information not only from suspects, but also from witnesses and victims. As a result, it is critical not to make any assumptions at this stage. When you engage Oberheiden P.C., our lawyers can determine why you have been named in an Interpol Blue Notice, and then we can advise and represent you accordingly.

If it is not already clear, we can also determine which law enforcement agency requested the issuance of your Interpol Notice. This can play a key role in determining your next steps as well. Once we know why you have received a Blue Notice and which law enforcement agency is conducting an investigation, then we can advise you regarding your risks, options, and next steps.

Understanding Why You Are the Subject of an Interpol Blue Notice

As we just discussed, law enforcement agencies and international criminal courts in Interpol member countries can use Blue Notices to obtain information from suspects, witnesses, and victims. In some cases, member countries and the UN Security Council Sanctions Committees may also use Blue Notices abusively to target political dissidents and others who do not deserve scrutiny. At Oberheiden P.C., we represent all types of Blue Notice recipients, including (but not limited to):

Suspects in Criminal Investigations – Law enforcement authorities around the world use Blue Notices to conduct investigations into a wide range of crimes. This includes everything from financial crimes and cybercrimes to violent offenses and human trafficking.
Suspected Members of Criminal and Terrorist Organizations – Law enforcement authorities around the world also use Blue Notices to target suspected members of criminal and terrorist organizations. In many cases, law enforcement authorities conduct joint operations focused on securing coordinated arrests and sweeping indictments.
Individuals Suspected of Immigration Violations – Increasingly, law enforcement authorities are using Blue Notices to obtain information about individuals suspected of immigration violations. If you have been named in a Blue Notice and have concerns about your immigration status, our lawyers can help.
Individuals Suspected of Bribery and Corruption – Exposing and prosecuting instances of bribery and corruption are top priorities for many Interpol member countries. Laws in the United States and around the world impose substantial criminal penalties for all parties involved in illicit transactions focused on influencing domestic governmental activity or foreign affairs.
Suspected Witnesses and Victims of Criminal Activity – As we mentioned above, law enforcement authorities use Blue Notices not only to obtain information from suspects, but to obtain information from witnesses and victims as well. If you are being treated as a witness or victim in a cross-border criminal investigation, our lawyers can deal with the appropriate authorities on your behalf.

When you engage our firm to represent you, understanding why you are the subject of an Interpol Blue Notice will be among our top priorities. Each of the scenarios listed above involves very different risks and circumstances, and knowing why you are facing a Blue Notice is critical for making informed decisions.

Understanding What to Do (and What Not to Do) After Being Named in a Blue Notice

With all of this in mind, if you have been named in an Interpol Blue Notice, there are both steps you need to take and mistakes you need to avoid. Regardless of why you have been named, time is of the essence. You need to be proactive about protecting yourself—which may include working to ensure that your Blue Notice does not lead to an Interpol Red Notice and further law enforcement action. To protect yourself, you should:

Avoid Communicating Directly with Law Enforcement Authorities if Possible – If you are able to do so, you should avoid communicating directly with law enforcement authorities. Our lawyers can communicate with the authorities on your behalf—and we can provide representation on an emergency basis if necessary.
Avoid Posting Anything on Social Media – You should also avoid posting anything on social media (or anywhere else online). If you are at risk of facing prosecution, any information you share publicly could be used to aid in substantiating charges against you.
Take Detailed Notes – You should take detailed notes related to your Blue Notice. How did you learn that you have been named in a Blue Notice? What other information did you receive at this time? These are all important facts that your lawyer will need to know.
Keep Any Relevant Documents or Data – If you have any documents or data that you think may be relevant to the pending investigation, you should keep them. Deleting or destroying records in this scenario can increase your risk—and can potentially lead to charges even if you were not otherwise at risk.
Talk to a Lawyer As Soon As Possible – Due to the unique (and potentially high-risk) circumstances you are facing, you should talk to an experienced lawyer as soon as possible. We provide complimentary initial consultations, and we can arrange for you to speak with one of our senior lawyers right away.

This list is not exhaustive—far from it. Once you schedule a confidential consultation at Oberheiden P.C., one of our Interpol lawyers will be able to walk you through everything you need to know.

Dr. Nick Oberheiden

Founder

Attorney-at-Law

Lynette S. Byrd

Former DOJ Trial Attorney

Partner

Brian J. Kuester

Former U.S. Attorney

Hon. Kevin McCarthy

55th Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives (ret.)

Government Consultant

Mike Pompeo

Of Counsel

Former U.S. Secretary of State

John W. Sellers

Former Senior DOJ Trial Attorney

Linda Julin McNamara

Federal Appeals Attorney

Nicholas B. Johnson

Former Prosecutor

Roger Bach

Former Special Agent (DOJ)

Chris J. Quick

Former Special Agent (FBI & IRS-CI)

Michael S. Koslow

Former Supervisory Special Agent (DOD-OIG)

Ray Yuen

Former Supervisory Special Agent (FBI)

FAQs: Responding to an Interpol Blue Notice Designation

What is an Interpol Blue Notice?

An Interpol Blue Notice is a tool that law enforcement authorities in the U.S. and around the world use to obtain information about suspects, witnesses, and victims during criminal investigations. These criminal investigations are often extremely high-stakes in nature; and, while a Blue Notice is not an international arrest warrant, Blue Notices can ultimately lead to arrests and criminal charges in many cases.

Why Am I Named in an Interpol Blue Notice?

You may have been named in an Interpol Blue Notice for various reasons. However, the most common reason is that you are the subject of a criminal investigation that spans across international borders. The United States is one of 196 countries that uses the Interpol notice system to facilitate its efforts to target individuals and organizations around the world.

How Do I Get an Interpol Blue Notice Removed?

Getting an Interpol Blue Notice removed involves submitting a request to the Commission for the Control of Interpol’s Files (CCF). You must have specific (and valid) grounds for filing a request, and you must demonstrate these grounds effectively. With this in mind, if you need to seek removal of a Blue Notice, it is strongly recommended that you work closely with an experienced Interpol lawyer.

How Can I Find Out More About an Interpol Blue Notice

If you have been named in an Interpol Blue Notice, you can find out more about the notice by contacting your country’s Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB). In the U.S., this is the United States National Central Bureau (USNCB), which is housed within the U.S. Department of Justice. Before you contact your country’s NCB, however, we strongly recommend consulting with a lawyer to ensure that doing so will not increase your risk of facing criminal prosecution.

Do I Need a Lawyer if I Have an Interpol Blue Notice

While not legally required, hiring a lawyer after you have been named in an Interpol Blue Notice is strongly recommended. In this scenario, you need to be very careful to protect yourself, and it is critical to ensure that you are making informed and strategic decisions. Contact Oberheiden P.C. today to learn more.

Schedule a Call with a Senior Interpol Lawyer at Oberheiden P.C. Today

If you need to know more about being named in an Interpol Blue Notice, we strongly encourage you to get in touch. To schedule a call with a senior Interpol lawyer at Oberheiden P.C., call 888-680-1745 or contact us confidentially online today.