ICAC arrests 21 in telephone service customers data bribery scam
2006-1-13
The ICAC has arrested 21 persons for alleged involvement in bribery over unauthorised disclosure of customers’ information of various telecommunication service providers to debt collectors.
Arrested in an operation code-named “Palm Leaf Fan”, which commenced on Wednesday (January 11), were 11 serving and one former employees of five telecommunication service providers, four debt collectors, three Police Constables, and two civilians.
The ICAC investigation arose from complaints alleging that some staff members of telecommunication service providers might have corruptly leaked customers’ information to debt collectors.
Inquiries revealed that one of the debt collectors arrested, who also operates a private detective agency, had allegedly requested employees of various telecommunication service providers to conduct unauthorised checks on customers’ details to facilitate his debt collecting business.
It was suspected that the telecommunication staff were given bribe payments for their assistance.
During the ICAC investigation, it was also revealed that the arrested policemen, who are closely associated with the debt collector-cum- private detective, were suspected to have accepted monetary rewards from the latter for assisting him in his private d etective business.
The telecommunication service providers concerned and the Police management offered full co-operation to the ICAC during its investigation.
ICAC inquiries are continuing.
Arrested in an operation code-named “Palm Leaf Fan”, which commenced on Wednesday (January 11), were 11 serving and one former employees of five telecommunication service providers, four debt collectors, three Police Constables, and two civilians.
The ICAC investigation arose from complaints alleging that some staff members of telecommunication service providers might have corruptly leaked customers’ information to debt collectors.
Inquiries revealed that one of the debt collectors arrested, who also operates a private detective agency, had allegedly requested employees of various telecommunication service providers to conduct unauthorised checks on customers’ details to facilitate his debt collecting business.
It was suspected that the telecommunication staff were given bribe payments for their assistance.
During the ICAC investigation, it was also revealed that the arrested policemen, who are closely associated with the debt collector-cum- private detective, were suspected to have accepted monetary rewards from the latter for assisting him in his private d etective business.
The telecommunication service providers concerned and the Police management offered full co-operation to the ICAC during its investigation.
ICAC inquiries are continuing.