Key Takeaways
- A Perth hacker, Michael Clapsis, has been jailed for stealing intimate videos from women and setting up a fake Qantas Wi-Fi network to steal passengers’ data.
- Clapsis stole or copied over 700 photos and videos from accounts belonging to 17 women and girls, including a 17-year-old, over a period of six years.
- He used a device known as a Wi-Fi Pineapple nano to divert passengers from the Qantas free Wi-Fi link to his fake service, gathering people’s passwords and data.
- Clapsis’ crimes had a significant impact on his victims, leaving them feeling violated, humiliated, and disgusted, and also posed a potential reputational damage to Qantas.
- Clapsis has been sentenced to seven years and four months in prison, with eligibility for parole in 2030.
Introduction to the Case
The case of Michael Clapsis, a 44-year-old Perth hacker, has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the dangers of cybercrime and the importance of online security. In April 2024, Qantas employees identified a suspicious Wi-Fi network on a domestic flight, which led to an investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The investigation revealed that Clapsis was behind the scheme, which involved setting up a fake Qantas Wi-Fi network to steal passengers’ data. Further investigation led to the discovery that Clapsis had been stealing women’s private images from personal online accounts for years, with over 700 photos and videos stolen or copied from 17 women and girls, including a 17-year-old.
The Fake Wi-Fi Network
The fake Wi-Fi network set up by Clapsis was described as an "evil twin" network, which mimicked a legitimate Wi-Fi portal for Qantas customers. Clapsis used a device known as a Wi-Fi Pineapple nano, which can be used as a hacking tool when modified, to divert passengers from the Qantas free Wi-Fi link to his fake service. This allowed him to gather people’s passwords and data, posing a significant threat to the security of Qantas passengers. The investigation revealed that Clapsis had been using this method to steal data from passengers, highlighting the importance of being cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks.
The Theft of Intimate Images
The investigation into Clapsis’ activities also revealed that he had been stealing women’s private images from personal online accounts for years. The stolen images and videos included nudity, intimate pictures, and sexual activity, and were taken from accounts belonging to 17 women and girls, including a 17-year-old. Clapsis knew some of the women, and one was a police officer. The theft of these images has had a significant impact on the victims, who have expressed shock and distress at the violation of their privacy. The court heard that Clapsis had accessed or tried to access online addresses or accounts of seven victims from as early as 2015, highlighting the extent of his criminal activities.
Attempt to Erase Evidence
When Clapsis was arrested at Perth airport in April 2024, he attempted to erase evidence of his crimes by remotely wiping his phone and deleting 1,752 items from his laptop. However, this attempt was unsuccessful, and the majority of the deleted items were found to include intimate imagery of women. Clapsis also remotely accessed his employer’s laptop to view confidential online meetings between his employer and the AFP regarding the investigation, further highlighting his attempts to cover his tracks. The court heard that Clapsis had held his face in his hands during the sentencing hearing, as the prosecutor read out accounts of some of the victims who had expressed shock and distress at the theft of their private images and data.
Sentencing and Impact
The District Court Judge, Darren Renton, described Clapsis’ offending as "systemic" and said that his crimes had multiple victims. The judge noted that the victims were left feeling violated, humiliated, and disgusted, and that there was also a potential impact on the brand reputation of Qantas. Clapsis’ lawyer, Anthony Eyers, said that his client was involved in "sexual voyeurism" and had not used the intimate images in any other way. However, the court heard that Clapsis had struggled with the shame of what he had done and had lost his job in April 2024. The total sentence imposed on Clapsis was seven years and four months, with eligibility for parole in 2030. The sentence reflects the seriousness of Clapsis’ crimes and the need to protect the community from further harm.
Conclusion
The case of Michael Clapsis highlights the importance of online security and the need for individuals to be cautious when using public Wi-Fi networks. The theft of intimate images and data is a serious crime that can have a significant impact on victims, and it is essential that those responsible are held accountable. The sentence imposed on Clapsis reflects the seriousness of his crimes, and it is hoped that it will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to engage in similar activities. As the community becomes increasingly reliant on technology, it is essential that we take steps to protect ourselves and our personal data from those who would seek to exploit and harm us.
