By PAUL O’DONOGHUE, Senior Correspondent
THE UK has issued its first INTERPOL Silver Notice to help trace assets linked to a convicted fraudster who ran an £8.5 million property scam.
Anopkumar Maudhoo, from London, used several aliases to carry out large-scale conveyancing fraud. In March, he admitted 76 offences, including fraud, money laundering, and using false identity documents.
He offered fake investment opportunities in repossessed homes and land developments. But the National Crime Agency (NCA) found the properties were never repossessed. The genuine owners knew nothing about the sales.
The Silver Notice lets INTERPOL countries share alerts about criminal assets. These include cars, property, bank accounts and businesses tied to serious crimes like fraud and corruption.
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the move shows the UK’s focus on tackling financial crime globally. “This Silver Notice demonstrates our commitment to cross-border cooperation to trace, seize and recover laundered assets, wherever they may be hidden,” he said.
UK INTERPOL Silver notice marks milestone
The NCA has already seized a speedboat and 19 high-value cars from Maudhoo. Officers believe he owns more assets abroad, especially in Europe.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Burns from the NCA’s Eastern Region Special Operations Unit said the Silver Notice will help locate more of Maudhoo’s assets. “We know he has strong links abroad… and the Notice will help us liaise with partner agencies and identify any further assets that can, in turn, be used to repay his victims,” he said.
Maudhoo used other names including Vincent Lebeouf, Pascal Burns, Yusef Khan and Vicenzo Conte.
The notice is part of a pilot involving 52 countries and territories. It will run until at least November.
Rachael Herbert, Deputy Director of the National Economic Crime Centre, said the tool boosts the UK’s ability to trace wealth earned through crime. “It will also increase funds available to compensate victims,” she said. “By targeting the illegal profits of criminal networks… we are disrupting their operations.”
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