‘Evil twin’: How man stole thousands of intimate images and videos
The disturbing way a man stole thousands of intimate images and videos from women has been revealed as he’s jailed for at least five years.
A man who stole thousands of intimate images and videos after hacking into women’s online accounts through fake Wi-Fi networks will remain behind bars for at least five years.
Thousands of intimate images, videos, and personal credentials belonging to other people were found on the 44-year-old’s phone following a search warrant along with records of fraudulent Wi-Fi pages.
The man deleted 1752 from a data storage application and tried to remotely wipe his mobile phone.
He even managed to access confidential online meetings between his boss and the Australian Federal Police about the investigation after using a computer software tool to access his employer’s laptop.
He was jailed with a non-parole period of five years after he pleaded guilty to a litany of charges, including five counts of cause unauthorised access or modification of restricted data and two counts of attempted destruction of evidence.
The man came to the attention of police last April after airline staff noticed a suspicious Wi-Fi network during a domestic flight.
The AFP searched his luggage when he got off the plane and found a portable wireless access device, laptop and mobile phone, all of which were seized.
A search warrant was later executed at a Palmyra home.
The man managed to trick devices his portable wireless access device was a trusted network.
It took people to a web page where they were prompted to log on to the fake portal with an email or social media account.
The victims’ data was then saved on his device.
“The man unlawfully accessed social media and other online accounts linked to multiple unsuspecting women to monitor their communications and steal private and intimate images and videos,” an AFP spokesperson said.
AFP Commander Renee Colley said cybercrime is a “growing global threat”.
“The AFP’s message to the community is to please be vigilant when connecting to any kind of free Wi-Fi network, especially at public places such as airports,” Ms Colley said.
“A network that requests your personal details – such as an email or social media account – should be avoided.
“If you do want to use public Wi-Fi, ensure your devices are equipped with a reputable virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt and secure your data. Disable file sharing, don’t use things like online banking while connected to public Wi-Fi and, once you disconnect, change your device settings to ‘forget network’.
“People should also switch off the Wi-Fi on their devices to prevent them being automatically connecting to a hotspot in public spaces.”
She urged those who have connected to a free Wi-Fi network to change their passwords.
