Renault says probe into spying claim continues

bbc.co.uk
Carmaker Renault has said that investigations are continuing into possible foreign bank accounts linked to alleged industrial espionage.
However, a lawyer for the French company said there was no clear evidence yet of accounts in either Switzerland or Lichtenstein.

He was responding to reports in France that a police probe into three former managers had so far drawn a blank.

But Jean Reinhart told Europe 1 radio that Renault remains a "victim".

Allegations that Renault was the subject of industrial espionage surfaced in January.

Three Renault managers were sacked amid a flurry of claims in the French media that a Chinese company may have sought secrets about a new electric car.

Beijing categorically denied the suggestion and Renault never confirmed that China was under suspicion.

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Former Apple boss prosecuted for industrial espionage

In a move which has sent shockwaves around the mobile phone and computer technology world, it’s been reported that a former Apple boss was prosecuted for industrial espionage.

Paul Devine was global supply manager for Apple, but he sold the company’s secrets to Asian suppliers. This apparently gave the Asian businesses greater negotiating clout with Apple, and which adversely affected Apple’s costs.

A reporter told knowyourmobile.com: “Mr Devine admitted that the loss to Apple from his actions was more than £1.2m.”

Mr. Devine was arrested last August after incriminating emails were found on his computer. The emails appeared to show that he would be willing to provide information in return for being paid.

Paul Devine admitted charges of wire fraud, money laundering and conspiracy and will be formally sentenced shortly.

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Corporate espionage on the rise...

newsnet5.com

CLEVELAND - The threat of foreign espionage seemingly disappeared with the Cold War. But there is a new spy game in town.

"Now you're talking about economic espionage and that is one of the biggest threats to national security that we have," said Brad Beman, head of the counter intelligence unit for the Cleveland branch of the FBI.

Beman warns that today's spies are just as interested in the office computer as government secrets.

"Other countries that are not necessarily friendly to the United States are gaining out technology and gaining an edge potentially over us," Beman said.

Some of the most dangerous spies don’t work for foreign governments, but for local companies. Employees motivated by revenge, money or patriotism are betraying company secrets, according to the FBI.

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