Jul.05, 2010, 19:18 Hrs

Lyon: Interpol, the international police agency, believes that internet users can be helpful in tracking down many criminals who are wanted for serious crimes like murder, rape, child sexual abuse and others.

Interpol has launched a round-up operation on May 3 to trap 450 people, who are either convicted or suspected of serious offences. The operation is spread over 29 countries. The agency also stated that more than 100 fugitives have been arrested or located worldwide. 

Some of the high profile arrests include former Colombian model Angie Sanclemente Valencia, who was wanted for drug trafficking. She was caught in Argentina in May. Mouamba Munanga, wanted for counterfeit currency and money-laundering by France and Bahrain was caught in South Africa on June 16.

Public pictures of 26 fugitives have been released by the Interpol to back its appeal for help from Internet users.

Martin Cox, Assistant Director of Interpol's Fugitive Investigative Support (FIS) unit said,

"The operation has been very successful in locating and arresting a large number of these targets, but what we are now left with are the cases where we have no new information on their whereabouts, which is why we are asking for the public to help. It is more likely that someone will recognize one these fugitives from a social networking site or a chat room than spotting them walking down the street."

Any information on the fugitives can be sent to fugitive@interpol.int or be anonymously given to National Crime Stoppers programs.