Perth IT Consultant Sentenced for Elaborate Cyber Crime Spree
A 44-year-old IT consultant from Perth has been sentenced to more than seven years behind bars for orchestrating a sophisticated hacking campaign that targeted young women and airline passengers. Michael Clapsis, from the suburb of Palmyra, held his head in his hands in court on Friday as emotional impact statements from his victims were read aloud.
Systematic Theft of Private Images and Data
The court heard disturbing details of Clapsis's crimes, which involved hacking into seven women's email accounts and stealing hundreds of private pictures and videos from 17 additional victims. Clapsis had previously worked with four of the women he targeted, and prosecutors confirmed the majority of the stolen material was intimate and sexual in nature.
His criminal activities extended beyond personal connections when he created a fake Qantas Wi-Fi network designed to trick travellers. Five unsuspecting passengers attempting to connect to what they believed was the airline's legitimate free Wi-Fi service were instead diverted to his fraudulent page, allowing him to steal their personal data.
Desperate Attempts to Evade Justice
When authorities finally caught up with him, Clapsis made frantic attempts to destroy evidence. He unsuccessfully tried to remotely wipe his iPhone to delete more than 1700 images and videos that police later recovered.
In an even more audacious move, Clapsis secretly hacked into his boss's computer to listen in on a confidential video call with the Australian Federal Police who were investigating his crimes. This attempt to monitor the investigation demonstrated the lengths he was willing to go to avoid detection.
Sentencing and Remorse
Defence lawyer Anthony Eyers told the court that Clapsis was motivated by voyeurism and had been living a double life. "It's a very difficult time for him and his family but he's feeling genuinely remorseful and regretful for the harm that he did to others," Eyers stated during the proceedings.
The judge handed down a prison sentence exceeding seven years, with Clapsis becoming eligible for parole in 2030. The case has highlighted growing concerns about digital privacy and the sophisticated methods criminals use to exploit technology for personal gratification.
