A man in Australia has been charged by law enforcement for allegedly creating fake Wi-Fi networks during a commercial flight and using them to steal passenger accounting data, including email and social network account information. According to a media release by the Australian Federal Police, the suspect’s actions came to light after airline employees discovered a suspicious Wi-Fi network on an internal flight.
Upon investigation, the police arrested a 42-year-old man who was found with a portable wireless device, laptop, and mobile phone in his hand luggage. The man allegedly created Wi-Fi access points with names similar to those used by airlines or streaming services, a hacking technique known as an Evil Twin attack.
Authorities also uncovered evidence linking the suspect to similar activities at airports and places associated with his previous employment. When unsuspecting users connected to the fake networks, they were directed to a fraudulent webpage that prompted them to enter their account details, which were then saved on the suspect’s devices.
The suspect faces charges of unauthorized access to devices and fraudulent actions. While there is no proof that the stolen data was used, police believe the suspect had intentions of using the information for criminal purposes, such as accessing victims’ personal information, online communications, media files, or bank details.
After appearing before a magistrate last week, the accused was released on bail with conditions that limit his internet usage. Australian authorities have cautioned the public that legitimate free Wi-Fi networks never ask for sensitive account information and advise users to use encryption and data protection on their devices while using public networks.