Beware of 'camouflage cameras'

Not a fire alarm. / Courtesy of police

By Jung Min-ho, Cho Se-yong

Beware of “camouflage cameras” near your front door.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of stealing 200 million won ($1.87 million) by using hidden cameras that were disguised as fire alarms, police said Monday.

According to Haeundae Police Station, the two set up the cameras on ceilings near the front doors. People did not realize they were being filmed while entering their secret codes.

When the homeowners were gone, the two allegedly entered the homes.

The cameras were installed in eight places. The suspects cracked the secret codes of five houses, but not the rest because the homeowners stood between the doors and the cameras while entering their passwords.

The number of crimes involving hidden cameras has increased rapidly in recent years. There are cameras in various shapes, including watches and lighters.

Police advise everyone to pay more attention to their surroundings when dealing with passwords.