UPDATE: A Perth father-of-three, Michael Clapsis, has been sentenced to 7 years and 4 months in prison for hacking into the personal data of numerous women using a nefarious “evil twin Wi-Fi” scheme. The 44-year-old IT professional’s double life was unveiled in court, revealing a disturbing collection of intimate images and videos of at least 17 women, including one just 17 years old.
The sentencing occurred on October 20, 2024, in the Perth District Court after a comprehensive investigation by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). Clapsis was apprehended at Perth Airport following concerns raised by an airline employee about a suspicious Wi-Fi network during a domestic flight in April 2024.
Authorities discovered a portable wireless access device, a laptop, and a mobile phone in Clapsis’s luggage. Reports indicate he used this device to create fake Wi-Fi networks, luring unsuspecting users into providing personal information. When police sought access to his data, Clapsis attempted to mislead them with a wrong pin, subsequently deleting nearly 2,000 images of women in compromising situations.
Victims expressed deep emotional trauma from Clapsis’s actions. One victim stated, “No one should ever have to go through this,” highlighting the pervasive feelings of fear and vulnerability stemming from the invasion. Another victim, now a police officer, revealed that Clapsis had downloaded images of her in uniform, further intensifying the violation’s impact.
Between April 22 and 23, 2024, Clapsis unlawfully accessed his employer’s laptop, infiltrating confidential online meetings about the investigation. Police revealed he had meticulously organized the illicit images into folders labeled with the victims’ names, a collection spanning nearly 10 years.
In court, defense lawyer Anthony Ayres stated, “It was done for sexual voyeurism… not for financial gain.” Clapsis, who led a seemingly normal life with a salary of $160,000 a year, a wife, and three children, was described as living a “double life” while exploiting vulnerable women.
Despite being diagnosed with level one autism spectrum disorder, the court clarified that this condition was not linked to his criminal behavior. Signs of voyeurism disorder were noted, but his actions were solely his own, without any collusion or consent from others.
Judge Darren Renton emphasized the severity of Clapsis’s crimes while handing down the sentence, stating that it was essential to hold him accountable for the deep harm inflicted on his victims. Clapsis is eligible for parole after serving 3 years and 8 months of his sentence.
As this shocking case concludes, it raises urgent questions about privacy and safety in the digital age. The emotional scars left on the victims serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in our increasingly connected world. Authorities are urging individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious online activity.
