Incidences of auto theft have been rising right here in Malaysia, with syndicates focusing on pick-up vans, 4x4s and SUVs specifically, in line with The Star. The nation is seeing a year-on-year enhance within the variety of autos stolen, reaching a excessive of 14,592 final yr in comparison with 14,433 in 2022 and 13,426 in 2021.
Of these, bikes make up the lion’s share with 10,589 stolen, whereas 3,225 automobiles (inclusive of pick-ups, SUVs and MPVs, that is really barely down from 2022’s whole of three,264) and 778 lorries had been additionally taken from their homeowners. As of September this yr, the entire of autos stolen reached 10,849, together with 7,700 bikes, 2,535 automobiles and 614 lorries.
Bukit Aman Felony Investigation Division (CID) director Comm Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain informed the publication in an interview that the stolen autos had been being offered abroad – together with neighbouring nations – with syndicates being paid handsomely.
Stolen autos are in excessive demand as a result of they’re a 3rd the value of what they’re on the used market. Different elements embody the pressing want for spare components. “Our investigations revealed that car theft syndicates are focusing on 4×4 autos and SUVs on account of excessive demand, as such autos can fetch a excessive worth within the black market.
“Native car theft syndicates can be paid between RM20,000 and RM30,000 per luxurious car by worldwide syndicates, relying on the sort and situation of the car,” Mohd Shuhaily mentioned.
He added that criminals had been turning in the direction of car theft as a result of excessive revenue and the way little time it takes to steal it, estimating that simply 5 minutes is all that it takes. Syndicates usually goal autos parked on the road, in open or public parking areas or in entrance of unfenced homes, though there have been a number of circumstances of luxurious car theft in gated neighbourhoods. Thieves usually observe and comply with the motion of their focused car for between 24 and 72 hours earlier than stealing it.
The strategy of theft usually adjustments over time to adapt to the growing sophistication of auto safety programs and now consists of a number of digital gadgets to unlock automobiles with keyless entry, in addition to high-powered cellular jammers to disable GPS monitoring. “The sale of such devices and tools on-line is a significant contributing issue in the direction of the frequency of theft in Malaysia,” mentioned Mohd Shuhaily. “These gadgets are simply accessible and bought via on-line functions.”
He added that the potential to defeat keyless entry programs has been a significant component accelerating car theft. “Syndicates have found methods to hack keyless entry programs or to bypass safety programs with out the usage of the unique key,” Mohd Shuhaily mentioned.
Thieves additionally make the most of proprietor negligence and the shortage of auto safety programs, in addition to alarm programs which can be simply accessible and weak to tampering. “Different negligent behaviours are parking the car in a secluded space or darkish place, not putting in further locks, or worse, leaving the car unlocked,” Mohd Shuhaily mentioned.
As for what occurs after the automotive is stolen, that is determined by the place it’s headed. “The modus operandi for the home market usually entails tampering with engine and chassis numbers of the autos earlier than promoting them.
“The syndicates would additionally dismantle the stolen autos and promote the spare components. For the worldwide market, syndicates would smuggle the autos in another country on demand,” mentioned Mohd Shuhaily, including that stolen autos are smuggled throughout the border utilizing false registration numbers and paperwork just like the mannequin of the stolen car.
Of the 53,300 autos stolen since 2021, 13,704 have been recovered by the CID, particularly its Intelligence, Operations and Information Division (D4). “We additionally detained 17,199 people nationwide in reference to car thefts. All those that have been arrested had prison data, together with automotive and motorbike thefts in addition to drug offences,” Mohd Shuhaily mentioned.
Among the many measures taken by the police was the shut collaboration with enforcement businesses in Thailand to thwart transnational organised crime alongside the border. “Conducting joint operations to observe unlawful passages or routes can also be important. We additionally elevated the frequency of patrols in hotspot areas and have stepped up the arrest and prosecution of auto thieves,” Mohd Shuhaily mentioned, including that authorities have additionally carried out campaigns to unfold car safety consciousness.
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