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Perth IT Worker Gets 7 Years and 4 Months for ‘Evil Twin’ Wi‑Fi Scheme Targeting Women

A rogue onboard network spotted by airline staff triggered the probe, prompting an AFP alert about public Wi‑Fi risks.

Overview

  • Michael Clapsis, 44, was sentenced in Perth District Court after pleading guilty to multiple cyber offences tied to a multi‑year pattern of cyber‑voyeurism.
  • He deployed fake captive portals on flights and at airports using a WiFi Pineapple‑style device to mimic legitimate services and harvest login credentials.
  • Prosecutors said he accessed accounts of 17 women and girls, including a 17‑year‑old, and stole or copied more than 700 intimate photos and videos.
  • Forensic work showed he deleted 1,752 items and tried to remotely wipe his phone, then accessed his employer’s laptop to view confidential meetings about the investigation.
  • Australian Federal Police urged travelers to be cautious on free Wi‑Fi, advising use of VPNs, disabling auto‑connect and file sharing, and changing passwords after connecting.