In recent years, London has seen a sharp rise in a new breed of car thieves, armed not with jimmies or master keys but rather a new weapon – a laptop computer. The old methods of hot-wiring a car have been replaced by digital savvy and technological finesse. The targets of these high-tech criminals? Luxury vehicles. In this article, we delve into the modus operandi of these modern-day thieves, their preferred targets, and the clandestine methods they use to monetize their illicit activities.
The Digital Car Theft Mechanism
At the heart of this emerging trend lies the marriage between vehicle technology and cybercrime. Modern luxury vehicles are equipped with keyless entry systems, where a key fob emits a short-range “friendly” radio signal. When the car identifies this signal, it unlocks the vehicle.
These cyber-thieves use a method known as ‘relay attack’. Operating in pairs, one thief stands near the car with a relay amplifier, while the accomplice stays close to the house with a relay transmitter. The transmitter amplifies the signal from the key inside the house, tricking the car into thinking the key is nearby, thereby allowing the thief to unlock the vehicle and start the ignition.
More sophisticated thieves use a hacking method known as ‘code grabbing.’ They use a device to intercept the unique code that a key fob sends to the car’s security system to disarm it. Once they have this code, they can replicate it to unlock the vehicle.
How Thieves Choose Their Targets
These digital car thieves typically target high-end luxury vehicles that fetch a high price in the black market or can be stripped down for valuable parts. Their choices often revolve around the market demand for certain car models and the ease of theft.
Given that this type of theft requires the car to have a keyless entry system, the criminals target newer models equipped with this technology. Thieves often scout affluent neighborhoods, where such vehicles are more likely to be found. They also look for cars parked in driveways or on the street, where they have easy access to the vehicle and the signal from the key fob.
Monetization of Stolen Vehicles
Once a vehicle is stolen, the thieves have several ways to turn their illicit gains into profit. Some luxury cars are shipped abroad, where they are sold in countries with less stringent vehicle import regulations. These vehicles are often given a new identity, with altered vehicle identification numbers and forged documents.
Another common method is ‘chopping,’ where the stolen vehicle is disassembled and sold for parts. This is often more profitable than selling the vehicle intact, as the parts of luxury cars are highly valuable. This method also makes it difficult for law enforcement to trace the crime back to the thieves.
For some thieves, the stolen vehicle is used to commit further crimes, including robberies and burglaries. After the crime, the vehicle is often abandoned and sometimes even set alight to destroy evidence.
Steps Toward Prevention
The rise of digital car theft demonstrates the growing intersection of technology and crime. However, this doesn’t mean car owners are helpless. Several measures can protect against digital car theft.
Owners of keyless cars should consider storing their keys in a signal-blocking pouch when not in use to prevent relay attacks. It’s also wise to park vehicles in well-lit areas and use physical steering locks as a visual deterrent.
Car manufacturers are already responding to this threat, with some introducing motion-sensor enabled key fobs that go to sleep when left stationary, preventing their signals from being boosted.
Law enforcement agencies and lawmakers also need to stay abreast of this evolving threat, updating legal penalties and promoting better awareness among car owners. In this way, we can hope to stay one step ahead of the digital car thieves and safeguard our prized vehicles.