---
title: "Australian hacker pulled off a fake Wi-Fi network scam in not 1 but 3 Australian domestic airports! | Phish Protection"
description: "Australian hacker pulled off a fake Wi-Fi network scam in not 1 but 3 Australian domestic airports!: Threat actors never fail to surprise us with their."
image: "https://phishprotection.com/og/blog/australian-hacker-scams-three-domestic-airports-with-fake-wi-fi-networks.png"
canonical: "https://phishprotection.com/blog/australian-hacker-scams-three-domestic-airports-with-fake-wi-fi-networks/"
---

Quick Answer

Threat actors never fail to surprise us with their out-of-the-box ideas and this time also, it’s no different! An Aussie got arrested as he was trying to gain access to passengers’ data by creating a fake Wi-Fi access point.

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![Phish Protection blog post image](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2024/07/how-to-prevent-phishing-4920.jpg) 

Threat actors never fail to surprise us with their out-of-the-box ideas and this time also, it’s no different! An Aussie got arrested as he was trying to gain [access to passengers’ data](https://cybersecuritynews.com/claims-passenger-data-airways/) by creating a **fake Wi-Fi access point**.

The 42-year-old Australian man- Michael Clapsis, managed to create a free, [hoax Wi-Fi point](https://cybernews.com/security/wifi-vulnerabilities-allow-attackers-overtake-networks/) that looked **quite similar to legitimate** networks. The idea was to steal sensitive details of the passengers who connected unsuspectingly to the fake network.

_The Australian Federal Police or AFP was after the [threat actor](/phishing-awareness/threat-actors-breach-reddit-and-access-internal-documents-code-and-business-systems) since April 2024._ One of the **in-flight employees informed** the authorities about the suspicious Wi-Fi network. The AFP’s Western Command Cybercrime Operations Team has been investigating the matter since then.

When Clapsis once again returned to Perth airport, the AFP searched through **his belongings and seized** a mobile phone, a laptop, and a portable wireless access device called [Evil Twin](https://www.techtarget.com/searchsecurity/definition/evil-twin).

_The 42-year-old threat actor managed to pull off this [malicious act](https://therecord.media/teamviewer-cyberattack-employee-directory-encrypted-passwords) not only in Perth but also in Adelaide and Melbourne._ Passengers had to log in to the **fake Wi-Fi pages** by entering their email IDs and [social credentials](https://gbhackers.com/coralraider-hackers-steal-data/). Clapsis thus got easy access to all the data and secretly stored all of it. 

The Australian Federal Police checked each confiscated device closely and **found relevant details and proofs**. Then they searched Clapsis’ home and finally arrested him . The threat actor is facing quite a few charges, which may lead to multiple years of imprisonment.

![How to prevent phishing](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/2024/07/how-to-prevent-phishing-4920.jpg) 

One of the major charges that Clapsis is facing is for the unauthorized impairment of the electronic communication system. Clapsis is also facing the charge for acquiring [unauthorized access](https://www.cybersecuritydive.com/news/HubSpot-customers-attacked/720597/) or **tweaking restricted data**. He is also found guilty of procuring [financial details](https://cybersecuritynews.com/prudential-financial-data-breach/) illegitimately as well as possessing identification details of passengers. 

In case he is convicted, Clapsis will have to **face 23 years of imprisonment**. 

### Learn how not to fall prey to fake Wi-Fi networks!

Andrea Coleman, the AFP Western Command Cybercrime Inspector has shared some **words of precautions** and advised the passengers to follow them closely.

Always be cautious while logging into a [public Wi-Fi network](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/why-you-should-never-connect-to-public-wifi-networks/ar-BB1os9ip).

**Never enter personal details** while connecting to a free Wi-Fi network. _If it asks for your credentials, it is a scam !_

Do not use public wi-fi hotspots as long as it is **not urgent**.

Even if you plan to use a public Wi-Fi network, first download a well-known, reputable [VPN or Virtual Private Network](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual%5Fprivate%5Fnetwork) on your device. This will **encrypt data** and keep your device safe while you use public Wi-Fi.

**Always disable file sharing** when you are using public [wi-fi hotspots](https://www.forbes.com/sites/zakdoffman/2024/07/02/warning-for-iphone-and-android-users-connecting-to-in-flight-wifi/). 

Avoid doing crucial online activities such as banking while using public wi-fi networks. 

The moment you are done using a public wi-fi hotspot, go to your **device settings** and switch to “[Forget Network](https://www.macinstruct.com/tutorials/tell-your-iphone-to-forget-a-wireless-network/).”

Threat actors are on their toes 24/7, prying into your devices and stealing your personal data. The only way you can stop them is by **staying vigilant**, implementing [phishing protection](/), and being [digitally aware](/phishing-awareness/why-is-phishing-awareness-training-important-for-employees)!

## Topics

[ Phishing ](/tags/phishing/) 

![Brad Slavin](https://media.mailhop.org/phishprotection/images/authors/brad-slavin.jpg) 

[ Brad Slavin ](/authors/brad-slavin/) 

General Manager

Founder and General Manager of DuoCircle. Product strategy and commercial lead across DuoCircle's 2,000+ customer base.

[LinkedIn Profile →](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradslavin) 

## Protect your inbox from phishing attacks

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[Start Free Trial](https://portal.duocircle.com/cart.php?a=add&pid=101&brand=phishprotection) [View Pricing](/pricing/) 

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