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A Korean couple found a suspicious-looking fire detector installed in the Airbnb house they rented for their trip to Japan. / Courtesy of Luliweb |
By Lee Han-soo
A Korean couple found a hidden camera disguised as a fire detector in their Airbnb house in Japan.
The couple said they noticed the camera when they realized the detector was in an odd position with a tiny hole facing the bed, according to an online post by the couple on June 28.
The man, who uploaded the post, said he and his girlfriend initially joked about the detector being a hidden camera.
However, becoming suspicious, the man examined the fire detector only to realize it was a hidden camera.
He dismantled the fire detector and found a small camera attached to a micro SD card, as well as an on/off switch.
"It was a relief we hadn't done anything that night," said the man who shared the post. "However, we rented the same Airbnb house during an earlier visit in January."
The couple immediately reported the matter to the police with the help of the South Korean Embassy in Japan.
"The embassy gave us a lot of help," the man said. "The police immediately searched the house and confiscated the hidden camera. Although the case is set for a trial, I think it will only be punished as a misdemeanor."
He said he would lodge a strong complaint with Airbnb.
Airbnb official said they have removed the host from its site.
"We take privacy issues very seriously and have no tolerance for such behavior," an official said. "We immediately removed the host and provided maximum support to the affected guests."