Case Study
Case Study # 4
THE CLIENT
A major industrial equipment and spare parts supplier in Hong Kong
THE PROBLEM
Over the years the client has built a successful business catering to the needs of both the government and key construction companies in Hong Kong. With offices occupying multiple floors of one of the world-renowned skyscrapers in Central, the client has established itself as a prudent partner offering quality products with superb logistic arrangement at competitive prices.
In recent bidding exercises for procurement projects, however, the company failed to secure any government contracts consecutively. Of a mind to review any inadequacies in their business practice, the management conducted a thorough study of all relevant contract award notices made by corresponding government departments published on the Procurement and Contract Management System, and was shocked to find out that most of the winning bids were priced just slightly under their bids. It was thus sensible for the management to have the conjecture about potential confidential information leaks.
THE SOLUTION
Suspecting information leaks within the company, the management engaged VGM for a comprehensive investigation. After a detailed walk-through with the client over staff responsibility and access authority to sensitive information, VGM mapped out a plan to target the key personnel and conducted scenario analyses on possible cases. Given the time-sensitive nature of the bidding process, it was likely the suspicious spying events only occurred very close to the tender closing dates through electronic means.
Just after another bid placed for government contracts, as a token of goodwill, the management invited all staff to a nearby restaurant for their work and effort, also to make room for the pest control team to conduct annual infestation prevention work.
VGM investigators, well disguised as pest control professionals, entered the offices and conducted all work necessary to identify the true culprit.
THE OUTCOME
Employing proprietary technology designed to detect all unwarranted tapping and/or surveillance objects, VGM successfully unearthed several recording devices with network transmission capabilities in certain areas of the offices. VGM’s in-house computer forensic expert team then fetched all information processed by the hidden devices and identified the receiving end of the intercepted messages. Management of the company then took necessary legal actions with the evidence compiled by VGM.