Citibank uses Interpol against customer over business debt.
Citibank opened a criminal case and Interpol warrant against a long term business customer when his Dubai based company went bankrupt after the global economic crisis.
He was in touch with them, restructured his loan but they bounced a security cheque for an amount far higher than he even owed.
“It’s outrageous that any bank in these times would misuse Interpol’s database against a customer in order to have them unfairly arrested abroad. Interpol’s rules are clear that countries are not permitted to use the Red Notice system for matters pertaining to private disputes or financial debts”, explains Interpol & Extradition expert Radha Stirling, the CEO of Detained in Dubai and IPEX (Interpol & Extradition) Reform. “Interpol warrants from UAE and Qatar banks have caused the lengthy and unfair detention of victims in countries like Italy, Spain and even Ukraine. Once the person is detained, banks have made demands for large sums of money that isn’t even owed, using Interpol as a means to extort customers.
"We have applied to Interpol on behalf of our client to have the Red Notice cancelled, but the process can take up to nine months and affects a person’s ability to travel or obtain visas, In some cases, they have been had their residency visas challenged in Canada and the US or have been deported or arrested.
"This practice is a complete abuse of the Interpol system and should warrant sanctions on countries who continue to violate the rules. It’s disturbing that an international bank like Citibank would do this to their customers”.
Stirling represents clients in negotiations and communications with banks, in the preparation and submission of Interpol prevention and removal applications, as well as conducting criminal police and Interpol checks that prevent arrest and detention when travelling.
