How to find out Missing People through Interpol Singapore?

Table of Contents

Guide to Finding Missing Persons Through INTERPOL Singapore

What Is an Interpol Yellow Notice?

A Yellow Notice is a global police alert from INTERPOL aimed at locating missing persons or identifying individuals who are unable to identify themselves, such as those found unconscious or without identification. It is a tool that aids in the sharing of information concerning missing persons across international borders, rather than being an arrest warrant.

Purpose of Yellow Notice

It is utilized to assist in locating missing individuals, which encompasses cases of parental abduction, criminal kidnappings, and situations involving unexplained disappearances.
It can assist in identifying individuals who cannot provide their identity, such as those experiencing memory loss or lacking documentation.
The alert enables global awareness of the case, facilitating cooperation among police forces in all INTERPOL member countries to assist in the search.

Importance of Yellow Notice

⮚ Gives high international visibility to a missing person case

⮚ Alerts law enforcement globally about a missing individual

⮚Helps coordinate international cooperation in locating the person

⮚Can be shared publicly or restricted to police use only, depending on the case.

What a Yellow Notice Is Not Intended For?

It is not an arrest order
It does not automatically compel authorities to detain someone
Its purpose is humanitarian and investigative, not punitive.

How Yellow Notice published?

Police in a member country can request a Yellow Notice through their National Central Bureau by supplying relevant case information. Once received, the General Secretariat publishes the Notice in their database, which subsequently alerts law enforcement agencies across all member countries.

How the System Works?

1. Request by Local Police

A police agency in a member country submits a Yellow Notice request through its National Central Bureau (NCB) with details about the missing person.

2. Review & Publication

INTERPOL’s General Secretariat reviews the request for compliance with its rules and, if approved, publishes it to its international police network.

3. International Alert

The notice is then accessible to law enforcement in all member countries, enabling them to check border points, airports, and other checkpoints.

How You Can Report a Missing Person to Singapore Police?

If someone is missing and may have crossed international borders, you should first contact your local police authority — they can then liaise with their INTERPOL National Central Bureau to request a Yellow Notice.

Interpol Yellow Notices are international alerts created to help locate missing persons or identify unidentified persons by sharing detailed information across the global INTERPOL police network.

File a Police Report (Mandatory)

You must first lodge a missing person report with:

Singapore Police Force (SPF) if the disappearance linked to Singapore (or)
your local police station if you are outside Singapore

Documents Required:

Full name (as per passport)
Passport number / ID
Date of birth
Recent photograph
Last known location
Contact numbers, emails, social media
Travel details (flight, visa, entry date if applicable)

Police Decide INTERPOL Involvement

Only law enforcement authorities can contact INTERPOL.

If the case meets international criteria (e.g.):

Cross-border movement suspected
Possible trafficking, abduction, fraud, or crime
No trace across countries

The police may request INTERPOL Singapore (NCB Singapore) to issue:

Yellow Notice → for missing persons
Blue Notice → to locate or identify a person

**Note: Families or individuals don’t approach INTERPOL directly.

What INTERPOL Singapore (NCB) Do?

INTERPOL shares alerts with 195+ member countries, works closely with immigration, border control, and police units, and helps locate missing persons or confirm their safety, not to make arrests.

If you’re not in Singapore:

File a report with your local police by clearly mention Singapore connection and request them to coordinate with INTERPOL via official channels.

What INTERPOL Is Not Responsible For?

INTERPOL will not act on private requests, handle civil disputes such as runaway adult cases unless a crime is suspected, share investigation details with the public, or directly confirm immigration or travel records to families.

Additional Helpful Steps (Parallel Actions) handled by INTERPOL:

Contact Singapore ICA via police (not directly)
Check with hospitals & NGOs
Monitor bank / phone activity (if legally accessible)
Use social media responsibly (avoid public accusations)

Emergency Contacts (Singapore)

For immediate police assistance, Emergency: 999

For immediate police assistance if it is not safe to talk, Emergency SMS: 70999

Singapore Police Force (SPF): https://www.police.gov.sg

INTERPOL Singapore (NCB): Operates only via SPF

In What Situations Might a Yellow Notice Not Issued in Singapore?

Adult Missing Voluntarily	If an adult has left on their own free will and there is no indication of danger, crime, or vulnerability, a Yellow Notice is usually not requested.
Civil or Family Disputes	Cases involving custody disagreements, marital conflicts, or family disputes without criminal elements are generally excluded.
No International Element	Yellow Notices are intended for cross-border cases. If there is no reason to believe the person has left Singapore, local measures are preferred.
Insufficient or Unverified Information	If authorities lack reliable identifying details (recent photo, full name, DOB, distinguishing features), a notice may not meet issuance criteria.
No Police Investigation	A Yellow Notice cannot be requested by private individuals. If Singapore Police do not open or support an investigation, the notice will not pursued.
Data Protection or Privacy Concerns	If releasing information could endanger the person or violate privacy or child-protection laws, issuance may be declined or restricted.
Purely Immigration or Overstay Matters	Missing persons linked only to immigration issues, without welfare or safety concerns, are not eligible.
Duplicate or More Suitable Notice Type	If another mechanism is more appropriate (e.g., local missing person alert or Blue Notice), a Yellow Notice may not be used.