The AFP has charged a West Australian man who allegedly established fake free WiFi access points across various airports, to capture personal data from unsuspecting victims who mistakenly connected to them.

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After a tip-off from airline staff, 42-year-old Michael Clapses was taken into custody by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). He is accused of setting up fake Wi-Fi networks at various Australian airports and on-board flights to steal personal and sensitive information from unsuspecting victims.

Mr. Clapses appeared in Perth Magistrates Court, facing nine cybercrime charges. Authorities began investigating following a report from staff on a WA-bound flight who noticed an unusual Wi-Fi connection and alerted the police.

In his possession, police say they found an evil twin wireless device, a laptop, and a mobile phone. Three weeks later, the AFP raided Clapses' home and took him into custody. Cybersecurity experts caution users of open or public Wi-Fi networks to employ multi-factor authentication to protect their personal information.

Mr. Clapses is scheduled to return to court in August.



Man arrested over fake airport wifi scam

After a tip-off from airline staff, 42-year-old Michael Clapses was taken into custody by Australian Federal Police, accused of making fake Wi-Fi networks at Australian airports and on-board flights to steal personal and sensitive information from unknowing victims. Mr Clapses, were you trying to steal data? The Palmyra fire that faced Perth Magistrates Court today, charged with nine cybercrime offences. Police say it was staff on a WA-bound flight in April that noticed a strange Wi-Fi connection and alerted authorities. An attacker will take a Wi-Fi access point and change the network name to be exactly the same as a legitimate access point or Wi-Fi network. Police say they seized what's known as an evil twin wireless device, along with a laptop and a mobile phone from the accused's hand luggage. Three weeks later, the AFP raided his home and took Mr Clapses into custody. Can you tell us what devices were seized by police? What was on there? Cyber experts say it's a warning for anyone who uses open or public Wi-Fi networks. So once an attacker has your credentials, your username and password, that really is the keys to the kingdom. But if you're using multi-factor authentication, which is a code sent to your phone or an app that brings up some kind of number on it, then you really have made the attack go away. Mr Clapses is due back in court in August. Anne-Marie Leonard for Ten News First.

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