City of London Police secure Silver Notice against convicted fraudster

The City of London Police has successfully secured an INTERPOL Silver Notice to assist in tracing and recovering assets belonging to convicted fraudster Anthony Constantinou. This is a significant step in the ongoing international effort to identify and confiscate assets derived from his criminal activity.

The Silver Notice is a new and powerful tool in the global fight against organised crime. It enables member countries to request and share information related to assets linked to criminals across international borders. This will allow law enforcement agencies to work collaboratively in identifying and recovering proceeds of crime held abroad.

The application for the Silver Notice was made in relation to Operation Vanburgh - an extensive investigation into Anthony Constantinou, the former head of Capital World Markets (CWM). The company falsely promised investors annual returns of 60 per cent on what it claimed were risk-free foreign exchange investments.

On 9 June 2023, Constantinou was sentenced in his absence to 14 years in prison at Southwark Crown Court, having been found guilty of seven charges, including fraud by false representation, fraudulent trading, and money laundering. He was also disqualified from serving as a company director for 25 years.

Constantinou absconded during his trial and remains at large. In addition to the prison sentence, on 19 June 2025, a confiscation order under Section 6 of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 was made against him in the sum of £64 million. This order was also made in his absence. Failure to satisfy the order will result in a further 14 years imprisonment.

The Silver Notice was requested by the City of London Police Asset Recovery Team due to intelligence indicating that Constantinou holds assets in multiple foreign countries. This international collaboration is intended to support efforts to locate and confiscate these assets, with the ultimate goal of compensating the many victims of his fraudulent scheme.

This initiative is being carried out alongside an existing INTERPOL Red Notice, which calls upon member nations to locate and arrest Constantinou so that he can be returned to the UK to face justice.

Deputy Commissioner Nik Adams from the City of London Police said:

“This is a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to delivering justice and compensating the many victims of Constantinou. We recognise the profound impact this has had on those involved, and we are actively working to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.

“Through close partnership working - both nationally and with our international counterparts, we will now work to recover potential assets held abroad and apply to confiscate them.

“As the national lead force for fraud, we remain committed in our mission to combat financial crime, and we will continue to support those affected by it.”

Members of the public with information regarding Anthony Constantinou’s assets or current whereabouts are encouraged to report this via the Major Incident Public Portal or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Background

Timeline of events:

• 2014 - City of London Police commence criminal investigation into alleged fraud committed by Anthony Constantinou.
• March 2015 - Constantinou is arrested for related fraud offences.
• October 2020 - Constantinou is charged with the offences. He pleads not guilty.
• March 2023 - a trial commences.
• April 2023 - Constantinou fails to appear at court and an international manhunt is launched.
• 22 May 2023 - Constantinou is convicted of all offences in his absence.
• 9 June 2023 - Constantinou is sentenced to 14 years in prison in his absence.
• 19 June 2025 - Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announce confiscation order is granted.
• 8 August 2025 - Silver Notice granted in order to recover potential assets overseas.
• Enquiries continue in relation to the manhunt.