This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/south_asia/5405556.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Call centre 'scam' details sought Call centre 'scam' details sought
(about 20 hours later)
India's IT industry has urged Britain's Channel 4 television to co-operate with the authorities after a sting alleging data theft from Indian call centres.India's IT industry has urged Britain's Channel 4 television to co-operate with the authorities after a sting alleging data theft from Indian call centres.
The Nasscom trade body wrote to the TV channel asking it to share its findings and expressing concern at its methods.The Nasscom trade body wrote to the TV channel asking it to share its findings and expressing concern at its methods.
Channel 4, which is said to have spent a year on the report, said it was not its job to act as a "police agent".Channel 4, which is said to have spent a year on the report, said it was not its job to act as a "police agent".
Reports say the Dispatches programme shows middlemen selling confidential data. It will be broadcast on Thursday.Reports say the Dispatches programme shows middlemen selling confidential data. It will be broadcast on Thursday.
Many in India feel the country is deliberately being projected as an unsafe destination for business process outsourcing by vested interests, correspondents say.Many in India feel the country is deliberately being projected as an unsafe destination for business process outsourcing by vested interests, correspondents say.
But foreign call centres are a sensitive issue in the UK, where many such jobs have been outsourced abroad - mainly to India.But foreign call centres are a sensitive issue in the UK, where many such jobs have been outsourced abroad - mainly to India.
'Global issue''Global issue'
Channel 4 says The Data Theft Scandal "investigates the call centre security failures which allow personal financial details to be stolen and illegally traded".Channel 4 says The Data Theft Scandal "investigates the call centre security failures which allow personal financial details to be stolen and illegally traded".
A well-oiled machine is bound to have some envious onlookers with a desire to undermine it Times of IndiaA well-oiled machine is bound to have some envious onlookers with a desire to undermine it Times of India
Two Indian middlemen are shown selling valuable bank customer details to undercover journalists.Two Indian middlemen are shown selling valuable bank customer details to undercover journalists.
Kiran Karnik, president of India's National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), said: "While there are a lot of unanswered questions, we take any allegation of a breach in our security extremely seriously.Kiran Karnik, president of India's National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom), said: "While there are a lot of unanswered questions, we take any allegation of a breach in our security extremely seriously.
"Security is a number one priority and under no circumstances will we allow this to be compromised.""Security is a number one priority and under no circumstances will we allow this to be compromised."
"We are concerned about the verifiability of such stories, especially sting operations where monetary inducements were provided."We are concerned about the verifiability of such stories, especially sting operations where monetary inducements were provided.
"These operations sometimes go beyond uncovering wrongdoing and actually induce criminal activity that is then recorded and aired.""These operations sometimes go beyond uncovering wrongdoing and actually induce criminal activity that is then recorded and aired."
The Nasscom statement said Dispatches had refused to share its information.The Nasscom statement said Dispatches had refused to share its information.
A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "As a responsible broadcaster, our role is to bring our findings to the attention of the public. A Channel 4 spokesperson told the BBC: "As a responsible broadcaster, our role is to bring our findings to the attention of the public.
"It is not the role of journalists or broadcasters to act as agents of the police or any other authority.""It is not the role of journalists or broadcasters to act as agents of the police or any other authority."
ControversialControversial
Outsourcing of jobs is a sensitive issue in Britain where thousands have lost their jobs after call centre work was moved to India.Outsourcing of jobs is a sensitive issue in Britain where thousands have lost their jobs after call centre work was moved to India.
London-based Riten Gohil, who is an expert in international financial crime, told the BBC the sting essentially shows "the general lack of trust in Indian society".London-based Riten Gohil, who is an expert in international financial crime, told the BBC the sting essentially shows "the general lack of trust in Indian society".
Thousands of call centre jobs have been created in IndiaThousands of call centre jobs have been created in India
Mr Gohil says the incident could have happened anywhere. "It could have been in Philippines or China or even UK or the US. Criminal minds are not a cultural or regional issue, they are a global issue."Mr Gohil says the incident could have happened anywhere. "It could have been in Philippines or China or even UK or the US. Criminal minds are not a cultural or regional issue, they are a global issue."
He says because a large number of British jobs have been outsourced to India in the past few years, this "animosity in Britain is natural".He says because a large number of British jobs have been outsourced to India in the past few years, this "animosity in Britain is natural".
But, he adds, that "India takes security issues very seriously" and that Indian workers are "very skilled, very professional and very hard working".But, he adds, that "India takes security issues very seriously" and that Indian workers are "very skilled, very professional and very hard working".
In June, police in the southern Indian city of Bangalore arrested an HSBC employee in connection with alleged financial wrongdoing.In June, police in the southern Indian city of Bangalore arrested an HSBC employee in connection with alleged financial wrongdoing.
Nadeem Kashmiri, a data operator, was charged with hacking into the computer system which allegedly led to money being stolen from customer accounts.Nadeem Kashmiri, a data operator, was charged with hacking into the computer system which allegedly led to money being stolen from customer accounts.
HSBC said funds were taken from a "small number" of customers in UK.HSBC said funds were taken from a "small number" of customers in UK.
The worker is said to have supplied customer data to fraudsters, leading to a total of £233,000 being taken.The worker is said to have supplied customer data to fraudsters, leading to a total of £233,000 being taken.
The incident followed dozens of cases where banks and other financial institutions have lost customer details - whether through negligence or criminal activities - both in the UK and around the world.The incident followed dozens of cases where banks and other financial institutions have lost customer details - whether through negligence or criminal activities - both in the UK and around the world.