The Spanish National Police announced the arrest of a young hacker who exploited an online payment system to stay at luxury hotels for only one cent, instead of the normal price of around one thousand euros. Using a well-known international electronic payment platform, the hacker performed a sophisticated cyber attack that altered the validation process for transactions, enabling him to complete the payment for an extremely reduced fee. This kind of fraud has never been reported before, according to police officials.

The arrest took place while the suspect was staying in an upscale hotel in Madrid, where he had already caused financial losses exceeding 20,000 euros. In addition to the fraudulent payment scheme, he was also found consuming items from the hotel minibar without paying for them, contributing to his total financial impact on the establishment. The illegal operations took advantage of vulnerabilities in online payment systems, highlighting the need for increased security measures in the hospitality industry.

This case is a significant reminder of the rising issue of cybercrime, particularly as it relates to the hospitality and tourism sectors, which have become increasingly reliant on digital transactions. The police are now investigating how widespread this method may be and if there are others who might have utilized similar techniques to exploit online payment systems.