As could be
expected, the so called BPO fraud reported in SUN (UK) has taken some
interesting turns on the second day.
To begin with,
the accused Mr Karan Bahree, an employee of Infinity e-search as well as the
company have come out with some statements as reported in the Press.
According to
the Company, it is engaged in web designing type of work and does not handle
sensitive information such as the credit card numbers as reported by the SUN
reporter.
More
importantly, the statement of Mr Bahree reveals that there was in existence
another person called Mr Samir Aseem, who is stated to be an associate of the
SUN reporter. It is also stated that the CD was handed over by Bahree at the
instructions of Sameer with the knowledge that it contained a presentation.
The case
therefore hinges on the veracity of the SUN reporter since it is not clear how
one can identify what exactly was the content of the CD handed over. If SUN
has not handed over the CD for forensic examination by this time, there is a
serious prospect of the evidence being tampered with or already having been
tampered with.
Just as Mr
Bahree's statement has to be taken as the statement of an accused
requiring further verification, the statement of a "Sting Journalist" of a
tabloid like SUN also needs to be taken with a pinch of salt particularly when
there is a vested interest in "India Bashing" by certain sections of the
media.
By its very
nature SUN is prone to sensationalism and the possibility of it resorting to
unfair means in creating a sensational story is not to be ruled out.
It is also
necessary to recognize that while reporting of a crime of data theft makes it
obligatory for the Police to investigate the crime, the activities of a
foreign journalist on the Indian soil trying to bribe an IT worker and being
the main cause of the data leak if any cannot be brushed under the carpet of
"Sting Journalism".
"Sting
Journalism" has recognition if before the breaking of law by the journalist,
he records a statement either with a judicial or law enforcement authority or
otherwise able to prove his credentials and intentions. Otherwise it is in
itself an illegal act and Police have no discretion not to recognize the
crime.
Further the
role of Mr Samir and his background also need to be probed. The SUN
report has prominently indicated the possibility of terrorist organization
getting hold of sensitive BPO information. In the light of such a claim by the
reporter and the involvement of a character called Samir, there is a need to
eliminate possibility of any deliberate mischief played by terrorist
organizations in this regard to sabotage the growth of the BPO industry in
India. Links of Mr Oliver himself with Mr Samir is also to be probed.
There is a
possibility that the entire episode may be a frame up of the Indian BPO
industry with the ulterior motive of discrediting the industry.
We cannot also
forget that in the recent days, terrorists have threatened targeting of major
IT companies in Bangalore and it is clear that their agenda includes economic
sabotage.
Though the
initial reaction of Mr Dayanidhi Maran was measured and looked appropriate on
the first day, the current developments suggest that the Government of India
should take a serious view of the report and immediately take up an
international investigation through CBI and Interpol to examine existence of
any industry wide sabotage attempt.
This case is
no longer to be treated as a local Police case. It could be a case of Cyber
terrorism.
Naavi
June 25, 2005
Related Articles:
India
Has A Robust Data Protection Law !.. Naavi.org
Indian BPOs stung where it hurts most..HT
How secure are India's call centres?..bbc.co.uk
ITES for
real: Cops on call at Gurgaon BPOs..ET
Indian BPOs fear OCC may issue security norms...ET
BPO fraud allegations very serious: UK police..ET
Sun's sting operation maligns Indian BPO industry
..ET
IT
worker reveals existence of associate in transaction..Tribune
Comments
are welcome
