Chinese couple arrested after phishing PC discovered hidden in Kobe hotel room
Authorities in Japan arrested two individuals for concealing a computer behind a refrigerator that transmitted roughly 480,000 fraudulent emails and was used in credit card theft schemes.
Law enforcement apprehended a Chinese couple in connection with a computer discovered concealed behind a refrigerator in a Kobe hotel, which had been used to conduct phishing campaigns and facilitate unauthorized credit card transactions.
The device, located in a Japanese hotel room, transmitted approximately 480,000 phishing emails, according to Hackread. Ye Jiafeng, 39, and his wife Shen Qi, 39, both residents of the area, have been taken into custody. They face charges encompassing computer fraud, fraudulent obstruction of business, and trespass, in addition to allegations involving the misuse of stolen credit card information.
The operation commenced on May 15, 2025, when Ye connected the machine to the hotel's wireless network and positioned it out of sight behind a refrigerator. From this location, the computer systematically dispatched phishing messages. Upon discovery, the device contained approximately 2.4 million email addresses primed for potential exploitation. The fraudulent messages impersonated credit card issuers and directed recipients to counterfeit websites designed to harvest payment card credentials. Evidence suggests the computer operated under remote administration, enabling it to function autonomously without requiring physical intervention.