KUALA LUMPUR: Pickup trucks and sports utility vehicles (SUVs) are targeted by syndicates because of the high demand for these vehicles in the black market.
It is learnt that the stolen vehicles are being smuggled overseas, including to neighbouring countries, and sold for a hefty price.
“Our investigations revealed that vehicle theft syndicates are targeting 4x4 (four-wheel drive) vehicles and SUVs due to high demand, as such vehicles can fetch a high price in the black market,” said Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
“Local vehicle theft syndicates will be paid between RM20,000 and RM30,000 per luxury vehicle by international syndicates, depending on the type and condition of the vehicle.
“Criminals find this a lucrative source of income as it provides a high profit and very little time is needed to steal a vehicle,” he said, estimating that it would take a car thief about five minutes to get the job done.
He added that syndicates would observe and follow the movement of a targeted vehicle for 24 to 72 hours before stealing it.
“The syndicate chooses vehicles parked in public parking areas, in front of unfenced houses, roadside areas and open areas.
“There have also been several cases where syndicates have stolen luxury vehicles parked in gated neighbourhoods,” Comm Mohd Shuhaily said in an interview with The Star.
The theft syndicate’s modus operandi changes over time to adapt to the increasing sophistication of vehicle security systems, he added.
“The modus operandi for the domestic market often involves tampering with engine and chassis numbers of the vehicles before selling them.
“The syndicates would also dismantle the stolen vehicles and sell the spare parts.
“For the international market, syndicates would smuggle the vehicles out of the country on demand,” he said.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said the syndicates would often use several electronic devices such as high-powered mobile jammers to turn off the GPS and others to turn on keyless vehicles.
“The sale of such gadgets and equipment online is a major contributing factor towards the frequency of theft in Malaysia.
“These devices are easily accessible and purchased online,” he added.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said 53,300 vehicles have been stolen nationwide since 2021.
“In 2021, 13,426 vehicles were stolen, followed by 14,433 vehicles in 2022 and 14,592 last year. As of September this year, 10,849 vehicles have been stolen.
“The majority of the vehicles stolen this year were motorcycles (7,700), followed by cars, which include SUVs and MPVs (multi-purpose vehicles), at 2,535,” he said, adding that the number of stolen vehicles up to September also included 614 lorries.
Of the overall vehicles stolen since 2021, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said 13,704 vehicles had been recovered by the CID, specifically the CID’s Intelligence, Operations and Records Division (D4).
“We also detained 17,199 individuals nationwide in connection with vehicle thefts.
“All those who have been arrested had criminal records, including car and motorcycle thefts as well as drug offences,” he said.
Stolen vehicles are in high demand because of various factors, he added, including the price being three times cheaper than the actual market price and the need for spare parts.
Another factor is the criminal syndicates’ ability to hack keyless entry systems.
“Syndicates have discovered ways to hack keyless entry systems or to bypass security systems without the use of the original key.
“Another factor is vehicle owners’ negligence as well as a lack of vehicle security systems, which is often taken advantage of by the syndicates.
“The location of vehicle alarm cables that are easily accessible, are often vulnerable to tampering,” he said.
“Other negligent behaviours are parking the vehicle in a secluded area or dark place, not installing additional locks, or worse, leaving the vehicle unlocked.”
Comm Mohd Shuhaily said stolen vehicles are taken across borders using false registration numbers and documents.
“The registration numbers and documents are similar to the model of the vehicle stolen,” he said.
Among efforts taken by the police to curb vehicle thefts, he highlighted, were cooperating closely with enforcement agencies across the border to bust transnational organised crime along the northern border.
“Conducting joint operations to monitor illegal passages or routes is also vital.
“We also increased the frequency of patrols in hotspot areas and have stepped up the arrest and prosecution of vehicle thieves,” he said.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily added that the police have also conducted campaigns to spread vehicle safety awareness. - FARIK ZOLKEPLI, GERARD GIMINO and TEH ATHIRA YUSOF
