Between October 1998 and November 1998, Electronics City Tech Park in Bangalore experienced a series of sophisticated thefts. Five companies reported missing prototype hardware, confidential source code, and proprietary technology worth over ₹5 crores combined. The thief operated with military precision, bypassing cutting-edge security systems, and always left behind a calling card: a white chess piece - the Knight.
Theft #1 (Oct 12): Infosys R&D Lab - Prototype encryption chip (₹80 lakhs)
Theft #2 (Oct 19): Wipro Advanced Computing - AI algorithm source code (₹1.2 crores)
Theft #3 (Oct 26): TCS Innovation Center - Secure communication module (₹95 lakhs)
Theft #4 (Nov 2): Microland Systems - Network security blueprint (₹65 lakhs)
Theft #5 (Nov 7): HCL Technologies - Quantum computing prototype (₹1.5 crores)
Each theft showed remarkable sophistication:
At each crime scene, the thief left a white chess Knight piece on the victim's desk - always placed precisely in the center. Analysis shows these are standard wooden chess pieces, untraceable, with no fingerprints. The chess Knight symbolizes unpredictable movement and intelligence.
The stolen technology represents years of research and hundreds of crores in potential market value. Companies are threatening to leave Bangalore. The Karnataka government has deployed special task force. International tech partnerships are in jeopardy. The pressure to solve this case is immense.
On November 7th, during the HCL theft, a night security guard named Kumar saw someone leaving through an emergency exit. He didn't get a clear view, but noted the person was approximately 5'6" tall, slim build, carrying a laptop bag. The guard immediately reported it, and this led to reviewing security footage more carefully across all five incidents.
Analyze the pattern of thefts, review security logs, examine witness statements, and identify the Tech Park Phantom. Who has the skills, access, and motive to pull off these sophisticated heists? Why leave the chess Knight? And most importantly - where is the stolen technology now?
Chess Knight calling card
HCL theft scene (Nov 7)
Security camera "glitch" analysis
Access card swipe logs
Emergency exit footage (partial)
Pattern analysis of all 5 thefts
Technical analysis of breaches
Who had access to all five locations
Chess piece and physical evidence
Attempts to sell stolen tech online
Night Security Guard (HCL)
Research Director (Infosys)
Security Systems Manager
HR Director (Tech Park)
Former Security Consultant
Age: 34
Access: Designed security systems
Motive: Revenge after firing
Competitive Intelligence Agent
Age: 29
Access: Corporate espionage skills
Motive: Selling to competitors
Senior Engineer (Multiple Companies)
Age: 38
Access: Works as contractor at all locations
Motive: Financial gain
Junior Security Analyst
Age: 26
Access: Security protocols knowledge
Motive: Proving skills/recognition
Night Shift IT Administrator
Age: 31
Access: System admin at multiple firms
Motive: Gambling debts
Brilliant Researcher (Insider)
Age: 32
Access: Collaborated with all 5 companies
Motive: Starting own company
Drag and drop evidence items here to organize your investigation
Who is the Tech Park Phantom? Identify the thief based on your investigation.