Intl conference calls for close cooperation to fight hi-tech crime

New Delhi, Mar 11 (UNI) Calling for international cooperation in fighting financial and hi-tech crimes, India today said cooperation through sharing of information was crucial to winning the war against crime.

Speaking at the 20th Interpol Asian Regional Conference held in Hong Kong today, CBI Additional Director Paramvir Singh sought international cooperation through standardisation of legal processes for sharing information among law enforcement agencies.

He also sought augumenting of training and expertise among different agencies dealing with crime.

Giving example of two recently registered cases, in which former employees of a data recovery software company stole the source code of the softwares and subsequently sold them through their web sites, Mr Singh said advancement in technology has facilitated some of the traditional crimes in a simple way, but on a much large scale such as selling of pornography material, international cheating and frauds through e-mail.

He added intellectual property rights violations have become prolific, particularly in respect of entertainment products and computer softwares, and terrorists were increasingly using technology not only for propaganda, but also for networking, communication and even training.

Informing the conference that the legal framework for tackling new generation crimes in India were being dealt with through acts like Information&Technology Act, 2000 and Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2003, he said focus was being made on modernisation of police and other law enforcement agencies, besides efforts in setting up DNA data banks, GPS-based International response system and signing of Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties and Extradition Treaties with more and more countries.

The conference, participated by delegates from 32 countries, apart from observers and representatives of various international organisations, has recommended that Interpol member countries undertake regional operations and make more efficient use of Interpol notices and databases, particularly in efforts to trace and apprehend child sex offenders and enhanced international cooperation against cyber crime.

Its other recommendations included All National Central Bureaus in the Asian region extend INTERPOL services as soon as possible to the border police, investigative units, customs and intelligence agencies combating international crime, by extending access to the 24X7 services or by implementing the Integrated Solutions and future developments.

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