Layers of Deception

by Leo James

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Tuesday 24th March

  THEY GATHERED IN THE boardroom of Q7 for the weekly project update. Steve hoped for positive news.

  Farid called the meeting to order. 'Welcome to the progress meeting. Let's begin. We scheduled two months to get the services underway. Q7 generated its first income only five weeks into the project. Correct Kim?'

  Kim stood up. 'Yes, we completed Phase one.' She bowed. 'We moved Axiatel online and retail services to the Seguro system. The marketing launch has started with our retail distribution and TV coverage.'

  Glen interjected, ‘I’m very happy to join you at any meetings with Axiatel.’

  ‘OK,’ Kim bowed again. 'Axiatel distributed outlet literature, TV and radio advertising.' She bowed and sat down.

  Farid smiled. 'Very pleasing. Anil, are the payment tariffs in place and the bank links?'

  'Yes, Farid. We are generating money from the services.' Anil nodded towards Anthony.

  Anthony responded, 'Yes, just under twenty thousand transactions in the first three days since launch. I will produce a full report at the end of this month.'

  Farid leaned across the table and shook Steve's hand. 'Congratulations. We are generating revenue three weeks earlier than expected.'

  Relief cascaded across Steve's shoulders.

  Thank fuck.

  'Are the servers installed with the latest Seguro software?' Anil asked.

  Mark coughed. 'I'll answer that. Yes, we installed version 1.26 which includes the latest rules engine for payment processing. We need to complete the final load testing and rules compliance this week. We'll then hand over first line support to Boon and Rakesh.'

  David raised his hand. 'We found one concern when we ran the compliance checks.' He read notes from his iPad. 'Unknown IP addresses on the servers, and an unknown licensing payment setting for a bank account belonging to a company called Grithos PTE Limited.' He stroked his beard.

  Not now! I don't want you involved. Shut the fuck up, David. Steve spotted Farid and Anil exchanging a glance.

  Anil responded. 'Yes, a partner commission. No problem.'

  Farid stood up. 'OK. If there is nothing else to cover today, let's call the meeting to a close. Well done everyone.'

  As they left the room, Farid called Steve aside and gestured to the rest of the group to continue. 'I want to speak with you.'

  Steve nodded.

  ######

  Once the others had left the room. Farid said, ’Grithos is a Q7 partner, so we share the transaction commission. A long-standing arrangement. It is not David's business. You get a share of the revenue. Do you understand?' He stretched out the last word for emphasis.

  Phew, I'm glad Farid and Anil explained away the commission. End of the problem, I hope. Who cares what's going on, as long as we get paid. 'Yes Farid, sorry, I understand, I'll talk to David.'

  'Good. Why don't you come over to my club, we can talk?' Farid smiled.

  'OK.'

  'Let's meet at Tegu Gentlemen's Club, six-thirty PM, on Thursday.’

  Steve nodded. 'Great. I'll be there.'

  Steve headed back to the hotel in a taxi. He answered a Skype audio call. 'Hi Roger.'

  'Hi, how are we getting on at Q7?' Roger sounded optimistic.

  'Superb. Just had a progress meeting with Q7. We launched within five weeks and twenty thousand transactions in the first three days. Anthony, their accountant will publish figures every month.'

  'We need to get a forecast of transactions and details of our revenue share. The launch is excellent, but creditors are chasing me, including Nigel from Applegate to renew the Asia Patent filings.'

  'A forecast?' Steve forced his eyes to pop wide.

  'Yes. Cameron Kelp are chasing payment for the quarterly accounts. The hosting company are threatening to cut off the servers. Antonio has transferred the salaries and payroll taxes for this month. We need to pay Glen's expenses.'

  Give me a break, we're working at lightning speed here.

  'I'll need my expenses paid. Struggling to pay for this trip, never mind costs at home.' He ground his knuckles against his forehead.

  'It's difficult, Steve.'

  'Yes. Mark, David and I are living on fresh air. It doesn't work.' Steve slowly shook his head.

  'Once we receive enough revenue, we'll all get our back pay, expenses and dividends. It's hard at the moment.'

  'Doesn't fucking help now though. Anyway, Q7 agreed to pay into our bank account as the transactions happen. They agreed we can configure a Seguro payment instrument. The financial guy from Q7, Anthony Suppiah, wants our bank details to set up the payment.' Steve wanted to vent his frustration.

  'Oh, wonderful. Phew, we needn’t wait thirty days as per the contract. Excellent Steve.'

  'I negotiated with Farid last week as we are a month ahead.'

  'OK, I'll send over our bank account details.'

  Screw you.

  Steve ended the call.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Wednesday 25th March

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING, STEVE visited Glen's hotel room.

  Mai opened the door to greet him. 'Hello, Steve. Glen on the phone. Come in, please.' She held the door ajar and bowed as Steve entered the room. He sat at the desk, and Mai offered him a cup of tea.

  Glen sat back on a black leather chair and waved towards Steve.

  Steve smiled. I hope he’s focusing on winning new business rather than entertaining Mai.

  'Is everything good at Q7,‘ Mai asked, ’Glen tells me they are a big customer.’

  Steve nodded. 'Yes.'

  ‘Do you like the people?'

  ‘People? Err, Yes.' He wondered why Mai had asked such an odd question. 'Do you know anyone at Q7?'

  Mai bowed. 'No, I ask because if good at Q7 then good for you and Glen. Then I am happy as well.'

  'How are you getting on with Glen? Are you putting up with him?'

  She smiled. 'Yes, I like him very much.'

  Glen looked happy. Steve figured he had found an apartment.

  'OK, fine,' Glen said. 'I will come to you tomorrow to sign the contract.' He nodded. 'I'll bring along my ID and bank details.' He punched his fist into the air and smiled. 'Yes, in the company name, yes put Seguro Limited, but payment will be from my personal account at CIMB Bank.' Glen waved to Steve again as he ended the call. 'OK, thank you. Bye.' He put the mobile phone in the top pocket of his shirt. 'Hi, Steve.' He threw his arms into the air. 'Yes! Our own apartment. We can get the keys tomorrow. Cushty mate.'

  Mai handed Steve a cup of tea and sat beside Glen, on the arm of the leather chair. ‘Oh, my love.' She kissed him on the neck, below his ear.

  'I can't wait. Cushty.' He unmuted the TV and continued watching the English Premier League football match highlights. 'Great game. ManU are winning.'

  'Quick chat about Q7?'

  Glen pressed the mute button on the remote control. 'Q7 is a goldmine. Might even get my expenses paid!’

  'Yes, brilliant. Huge opportunity at Axiatel.'

  Glen lit a cigarette. 'I've been trying to get into them for years, mate.'

  'Hey. The UK banned cigarettes indoors, so why smoke here?' You're such an idiot sometimes.

  'This is a smoking room. No probs.' Glen stubbed the cigarette out on the ashtray. 'What did Farid want?'

  'He's not too happy with David and he has asked me to meet him at the Tegu Gentlemen's Club tomorrow evening.’

  Glen smiled. 'Wow. You're privileged. I've only been invited once. The Singapore Raffle's equivalent in Malaysia. I’d be happy to come along mate. Mad, eh?'

  'No, he wants a private word.'

  ‘Cushty. Goal! Yes.' Glen turned the sound back on. ’Get in ManU.' He muted it again as Steve continued to talk.

  'He didn't like the way David raised the issue and wants us to discuss any concerns we may have direct with him or Anil first in future.'

  Glen shook his head. 'Tell the bearded geek to shut his mouth and get o
n with the project. We do our job. Whatever they do, it's up to them. No brainer.'

  Steve leaned forward, rested his elbows on his knees, and held his head in the palms of his hands. 'David's like a terrier when he gets onto something.'

  'He shouldn't put his nose into stuff outside the project. Anyway, he's an old woman. He worries about everything. It’s mad.'

  'He's a good guy.'

  'Yes, he is,' Glen relented, 'but he needs to focus on our stuff.'

  'You're right.'

  'I'm starving.' Glen looked at Mai.

  She handed him the menu. 'You want room service?'

  He looked at the menu. 'Yes, burger and fries, you want chicken noodles?'

  'Yes, my love.'

  'Steve?'

  'No, I'm fine.'

  Glen called the hotel restaurant and reeled off a list of items from the expensive hotel menu.

  Good job you're a good salesman but you piss me off; idiot. 'Are you making headway with other opportunities?'

  'Yes. I'm putting together a forecast for Monday's call.'

  'While David, Mark and I are here, you should use us. Get us in front of prospects.'

  Glen's phone rang. 'Ah, it's my son.' He answered the call.

  'Hi Jack. Are you OK? – How's the footie? – Good, did you score? – two goals. Fantastic and you won the Man of the Match. Brilliant. Well done… You doing your homework? – Good. Can your sister come to the phone? – Love you, Jack. Speak tomorrow. Enjoy school… Hello Lauren. Are you doing what mummy says? – Ah, good… Oh lovely… You are a good girl. Daddy’s girl… OK. I'll ring you tomorrow. Bye. Love you, Lauren. Bye.'

  Room service arrived, and Steve decided to leave. 'Catch you later.'

  I'll leave him to his food and footy. Not a care in the world. Fat bastard.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Thursday 26th March

  THE TAXI ARRIVED OUTSIDE the Tegu Gentlemen's Club; Steve paid the fare and adjusted his tie. He wasn’t sure if he should feel this nervous. The concierge opened the door and bowed as Steve walked past him into the club.

  A male receptionist greeted him. 'Good evening, sir.'

  'Good evening. Steve Roussos. Farid Razak, please.'

  He nodded to acknowledge Steve and then talked on his walkie-talkie. A few moments later a man appeared wearing a formal dress suit. 'Mr Roussos to see, Mr Farid.’

  'This way, Mr Roussos,' the man said. A mixed aroma of stale cigars, smoke, and wood polish hit him as he walked through the lobby. All very old-school English.

  Steve was led into a regal sitting room with leather chairs, coffee tables, and gilt-edged mirrors hung against ruby red walls.

  As soon as he spotted Steve, Farid stood up and shook his hand, ushered him to sit on the plush red leather seat opposite, and then ordered drinks. He nodded and sat back down.

  Steve took this to be his cue to skip the usual smalltalk and express his concerns. 'I'm worried about David's findings. Keith has completed the audit and David has found several discrepancies which we will need to declare in the report. He has also found some serious issues.'

  Farid rested his elbows on the arms of the chair, and interlacing his fingers, he looked at Steve. 'There are certain ways of doing business in Malaysia.'

  Steve folded his arms. 'I'm worried about a payment made to a company called Grithos, for every transaction. Q7 has configured the Seguro system with a royalty payment of two cents per transaction. David checked their website and found an offshore company based in Singapore. He also found several onion router servers on the Q7 network. The onion router sets up a dark net, so payments and commerce are anonymous and used for illegal means.' His throat felt dry.

  Farid looked down. 'Thank you for bringing this to my attention.'

  'I'm sorry, Farid. I hope we can sort this out.' Steve's breathing quickened.

  'Who knows of this?' Farid leaned forward.

  'David and I.'

  'What about Keith?'

  'No, Keith ran the report, nothing else.' Steve shook his head.

  'Have you mentioned this to Anil?'

  'No, apart from what David said at the team meeting I decided to talk to you first.'

  We need to cover this up. Who cares if it's illegal. We need the money.

  Farid smiled. 'I like you, Steve. I will talk to my people. Can you send the report and leave it with us?'

  'I'll let David know.'

  'Steve, the management team at Q7 asked me to express our gratitude for the speed at which you launched the Seguro solution. You and David have proven yourselves, so we want to reward you both.' He reached into his inside pocket, pulled out two plastic cards and held them up.

  Steve could see the words "Maybank Man of Steel" prepaid card etched across the top, and the word "VISA" in the bottom right-hand corner.

  Steve leaned back and held up the palm of his hand towards Farid. 'No. You needn’t do that.'

  'We deposited fifty thousand ringgit on each of the cards and here are the PIN numbers.' Farid handed Steve the two plastic cards. 'A token of our appreciation.'

  ‘There’s no need for a reward.'

  'Please accept them and please keep your findings confidential. Ask David to do the same.'

  'OK, Farid. Thank you.'

  ######

  When Steve got back to the hotel he met David in the lobby. They sat near the entrance on one of the leather settees. Steve put his laptop on a small table. 'I told Farid. He asked me to keep this confidential whilst he investigates. Wants us to keep this between the three of us until he finds out what's happening.'

  David opened his laptop and made notes. 'Was he shocked?'

  'No reaction. A Malaysian thing, maybe? We didn't talk about who he suspected.'

  'I don't like this.' David shook his head.

  'Get Keith to run the compliance report and send it without analysis. OK? I want you to drop the investigation.' Steve raised his voice.

  David stroked his beard. 'OK.'

  'Farid is so pleased with our progress he has given me these prepaid cards as a reward. He has given them to you and me. Fifty thousand ringgit on each card. That's ten grand on each for you and me.'

  David looked horrified. 'What! What's the catch? No, I really don't like this. We need the money, but we can't take them. We have to tell Roger.'

  'It's a prepaid card from Maybank. No name registered and it's a Visa payment which debits the card when you use it at any store. You can even draw cash out at any ATM in Malaysia. Can't we use them to fund expenses?'

  'I'm concerned, Steve.' By this time David was continually shaking his head. 'Every system connected to our network is on an onion router which creates a dark net, and they are splitting the revenue with a dodgy company.'

  'Relax, David. You'll give yourself an ulcer.' Gotta keep him calm. And relax, breath. Calm. 'Q7 is a big company in Malaysia. I'm sure Farid has nothing to do with onion routers and dark net. Grithos might be his cousin. Who cares?'

  'No, there's something fishy going on here. If I'm honest, the situation makes me even more suspicious when Farid gives us ten grand each. How can we be certain they won't blackmail us later if we expose this? No, I suggest we spend nothing on them no matter what,' David said.

  David was adamant that there were serious issues at Q7 and the fact that they had been given the debit cards seemed to him to be a bribe to cover up these issues.

  Steve needed the project to continue, so conceded to David. 'OK, yes we need to be careful. I agree. I've already accepted the cards from Farid, so I'll put them into the hotel deposit, and not touch them.'

  David's head moved from shaking to nodding. 'Yes, makes sense. Let's add to our defence on this to make sure we cover ourselves. I suggest you send me an email which states: As discussed, we received the Maybank debit card from Farid at Q7, and as agreed we will not use them but keep them in a safe place. I will respond to you with my agreement and a note about my suspicions.'

  'Great idea. Don't want this to co
me back and bite us.'

  'I'll check a few more things and shout if I can find anything.'

  For fuck’s sake, David.

  'No. No, David. I already said. Leave Q7 alone. Focus on getting the project under way. We'll chat with Mark tomorrow. Clear?'

  'Yes.'

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Friday 27th March

  THE FOLLOWING MORNING, STEVE stepped out of the elevator on the ground floor of the hotel. He spotted Mark talking to a hotel receptionist and wandered over to him.

  'Problem with my shower. They'll sort it today.' Mark frowned.

  They strolled towards the restaurant, hampered by the bustling lobby with many people in the way.

  'What do you reckon?' Steve said.

  'You mean about David?’

  'I'm worried. He's found problems at Q7. Puts us all in the shit.' Steve tried to put on a brave face.

  'We'll sort the issue, whatever it is,' Mark said confidently.

  A waiter greeted them at the entrance to the restaurant and ticked off their names. The front of the restaurant had bi-fold doors, which were open to the bright sunshine, warm air and a shimmering swimming pool. The whole landscape was bathed in the warm glow of the rising sun.

  Steve ordered his customary eggs over easy and bacon from the cuisine chef dressed in a white uniform and hat. Mark helped himself to a choice of local delicacies from the buffet. After a short while, they joined David at his table.

  'Bring Mark up to speed,’ Steve said.

  Mark nodded. 'OK, fire away.'

  David put his cutlery down beside his plate and sipped from his water glass. 'I'm concerned about Q7.'

  Mark carried on eating. 'Why? Looks as if the project's going well. We launched ahead of time. Performance and scalability are great.'

  David continued in a hurry, 'No, our system is fine. The problem is with Q7's network. I've been using the Linux penetration system security tools to help with testing. It’s set up to scan all devices that have been on the Q7 network for the past few weeks, collecting forensic info. I used a wireless device for sending malicious traffic across the Q7 network, gathering raw packet streams to get data. Wireshark to find plain text passwords, websites visited, and other application data. I've captured packets on the network, searched through database files and extracted the data sent across the network.'