480,000 phishing emails sent from a PC hidden behind a fridge in a Japanese hotel room

A computer hidden behind a refrigerator in a Japanese hotel room was responsible for sending an estimated 480,000 phishing emails, according to reports by Hackread. The computer was installed by a Chinese couple who resided locally, and they have since been apprehended for various charges, including fraudulent obstruction of business and computer fraud.

The couple, Ye Jiafeng and Shen Qi, both 39 years old, face multiple charges related to their illicit activities. The scam began on May 15, 2025, when Ye connected the computer to the hotel's Wi-Fi network and concealed it behind a fridge. For weeks, the computer remained undetected, sending out the fraudulent emails, which contained around 2.4 million email addresses, ready to be targeted.

The emails impersonated credit card companies and directed recipients to counterfeit websites, with the intent of stealing their credit card information. It is believed that the computer was managed remotely, allowing the scammers to maintain control without needing to physically manipulate the device. However, if one of the recipients had contacted the hotel, the computer may have been discovered earlier.

The hotel's IP address was discovered in the email metadata, prompting the staff to report the device to the police. Police are still investigating whether Ye and Shen were the masterminds behind the operation or if they were acting under the direction of someone else. While phishing was the primary scam in this instance, this is not the first time the couple has exploited technology for financial gain.

They have previously used stolen credit card details to make purchases in Kobe and have also been accused of stealing 74 smartphones, spending 10 million yen (approximately $63,000) of other people's money since 2024. The exact number of phones involved remains unclear, as police have not identified all of them. Phishing has proven to be a lucrative method for criminals worldwide, and it has even given rise to a new industry.

Earlier this year, the FBI dismantled a China-based phishing-as-a-service operation, which allegedly facilitated almost $2 billion in losses and the theft of 3.87 million credit cards.