A young Spanish hacker found a loophole in the payment processing system that allowed him to stay in luxury hotels for a fraction of the cost, paying only one cent instead of the expected €1,000 per night. Law enforcement officials reported that he altered the transaction verification process using a well-known international payment platform. This deception led to his arrest while he was booked at a luxury hotel in Madrid for four nights, a stay that would have cost €4,000 but was paid for at an astronomically reduced rate of only one cent.

The hacker's illegal activities resulted in over €20,000 in financial losses for the hotels he frequented. The police confirmed he had previously stayed at the same hotel multiple times under the same fraudulent payment scheme. In addition to the hotel theft, reports indicated he consumed products from the minibar without paying, compounding the costs incurred by the establishment.

This incident highlights vulnerabilities in hotel booking systems and raises questions about cybersecurity and protection measures in the hospitality industry. As cybercrime continues to evolve, this case serves as a reminder for businesses to remain vigilant against such illicit activities, which can lead to significant financial consequences.