150 cars stolen daily: Your car next?
Malaysian car theft syndicates have extended their reach to Europe and Africa although Asean countries remain the top destination for stolen vehicles.
Cars not cannibalised for their parts for sale in the local black market are shipped to locations like South Africa and Greece while the syndicates continue to feed the demand in nearer countries like Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin said there was also a big demand for four-wheel drives in the Middle East due to the “desert conditions.”
The Toyota Hilux, Toyota Camry and Honda Civic were among the most popular models “exported” while the locally-made cars were stripped for their parts, he added.
Gadget used to turn off immobilisers
It was made to repair vehicles, but is now being used by syndicates to steal cars.
The hand-held device costing RM10,000 was invented as a tool to diagnose mechanical faults and is not a controlled item, said Federal CID director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Bakri Zinin.
Dual purpose: The hi-tech gadget found in workshops can be used to deactivate immobilisers in cars.
“It is a device we cannot control as it is used by mechanics. It is even sold at flea markets in Jalan Pasar and Petaling Street,” he added.
A quick web search showed that the device could be bought online as well.
The high-tech tool was designed to plug remotely into the computer controlling a vehicle's fuel injection system.
Once in the system, the device can manipulate the car's alarm system as well - The Star