[Jaime]

Interesting read.

CAR theft syndicates are investing in their members by sending them on courses.

A source revealed that some syndicate members, especially those on the ground, are sent to Japan for a three-month course to learn about alarm systems and how to disable them.



"Japan is the country of choice because it is the home to some of the biggest car makers such as Toyota and Honda."

While some master the art of disabling car alarm systems, others learn how to make duplicate keys.

"Each syndicate member learns a skill, including opening steering locks. They also specialise in a particular make of car.

"For example, one will be an expert on Toyota models while another focuses on Honda."

It is understood that each time a new Japanese car is introduced, the syndicate sends its members to Japan to learn everything about the model.

"This is because orders from foreign buyers will come in for the new model and the syndicate wants to be prepared to meet the demand."

Car theft syndicates also offer their customers, including car brokers, side packages like altering the chassis number, duplicating car keys, and forging road tax discs and registration plates.

The packages cost between RM2,000 and RM50,000, depending on the vehicle.

Stolen cars sold locally are mostly stripped for their parts.

Certain types of vehicles, including the Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have state-of-the-art systems which make them difficult to be broken into and disabled.

In such cases, the thieves will wait for the owners to get into their cars or follow them home before hijacking the vehicles.

[darylding]

so hi-tech investment.... y not just hijack.....

[SplitFire]

so hi-tech investment.... y not just hijack.....

Hijack involve higher risk and more time. Instead of waiting 2 hours to hijack a car, why not use the same hours to steal 20 cars?