INTERPOL Issues First Purple Notice for Commercial Fraud

 On January 10, 2014, the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) issued its first Purple Notice in connection with commercial fraud.  The notice was issued at the request of the National Central Bureau (NCB) in Qatar after officers in Doha seized a machine used to remove and re-print production and expiration dates on beverage products.  The machine allowed the culpable distributor to avoid compliance with consumer protection laws and offer expired foodstuffs for re-sale.  The issuance of the Purple Notice expands a recent initiative by INTERPOL to increase its efforts in combatting crimes related to the trafficking of illicit goods.