A 42-year-old Australian man faces charges related to an “evil twin” scam involving the use of “fake free WiFi networks” to steal personal data from unsuspecting users at airports across Perth, Melbourne, and Adelaide.
Authorities claim to have retrieved personal data from numerous individuals, with ongoing forensic analysis of seized devices.
The man allegedly operated a device offering free WiFi, which directed users to a counterfeit webpage when attempting to connect their devices. According to police, users were prompted to log in using their email or social media credentials.
Authorities said the man stored these details on his devices, potentially gaining access to further personal information such as online communications, stored media, and banking details.
The purported scam was revealed in April when an airline reported a suspicious WiFi network during a domestic flight, prompting police involvement.
