● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportLow impact1 neutral
Couple arrested in Japan for sending 480,000 phishing emails from hotel room PC
Key points
- A PC hidden in a Japanese hotel room sent 480,000 phishing emails.
- The computer contained 2.4 million email addresses for phishing.
- A Chinese couple, Ye Jiafeng and Shen Qi, were arrested.
- The couple also used stolen credit cards for 10 million yen in purchases.
Phishing Operation Discovered
A computer, hidden behind a fridge in a Japanese hotel room, was found to be the source of approximately 480,000 phishing emails. The device was connected to the hotel's Wi-Fi and administered remotely, allowing it to operate without in-person maintenance.
Arrest and Charges
Ye Jiafeng, 39, and Shen Qi, 39, a Chinese couple living locally, were arrested in connection with the phishing operation. They face multiple charges, including fraudulent obstruction of business, trespass, and computer fraud. The computer was discovered after a recipient of a phishing email contacted the hotel, whose IP address was found in the email metadata.
Scope of the Phishing Scheme
The phishing emails, which began on May 15, 2025, impersonated credit card companies and directed recipients to fake websites to capture their credit card information. Upon discovery, the machine contained around 2.4 million email addresses, presumably for future phishing attempts.
Additional Criminal Activities
Beyond the phishing scheme, the couple is also accused of using stolen credit card details to make purchases in Kobe. Police reportedly found 74 smartphones at their home, and the couple had spent 10 million yen (approximately $63,000) using stolen card details since 2024.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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Reporting from
A Chinese couple was arrested in Japan for operating a phishing scheme from a computer hidden in a hotel room, which sent approximately 480,000 fraudulent emails. The couple also faces charges for making purchases with stolen credit card details, highlighting ongoing cybercrime activities.