Cairns stolen cars: Expert rules out vehicle key cloning scam
While police look into a black market stolen parts trade, an automotive locksmith has spoken about concern vehicle keys are being cloned in a highly sophisticated operation.
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Cairns police are investigating a black market trade in stolen car parts, but concerns that late model vehicle keys are being cloned in a highly sophisticated operation have been ruled out by an expert automotive locksmith.
This week a distinct silver 70 Series LandCruiser branded with a company logo, stolen from Upward Street in Parramatta Park, was recovered from an industrial complex on Redden St Portsmith.
How the True North Adventures LandCruiser was stolen will form part of the investigation as the vehicle was stolen without keys being taken.
Police have revealed, a Kawasaki quad bike allegedly stolen from an address in Atherton back in October last year, was recovered from the same address.
A phone number attached to the wire mesh fence of the Portsmith property registered to a Cairns automotive service gave rise to speculation that an underworld group was involved in cloning vehicle entry systems while cars were being cleaned — then returning at night and stealing the vehicles.
TCL Security and Locksmiths managing director Simon Hubbard who has specialist knowledge of the automotive theft protection industry, said it was unlikely this was happening in Cairns.
“We spend tens of thousands of dollars so we can reprogram keys, but it’s all speciality equipment, but it does not mean people cannot buy it from overseas,” he said.
“There are two systems. You have the remote which is the fob, and then you have the encrypted transponder.
“They still have to open the car and they still have to manufacture a key and you would need specialty equipment.
While unlikely, Mr Hubbard said he had heard of the practice occurring down south.
“It’s not impossible, but I don’t think that is happening in Cairns,” he said.
“Specialty equipment around the country is controlled, anything to do with our software is stringently controlled by vehicle manufacturers.”
Police are also investigating the theft of a Toyota HiLux dual cab stolen from Carmel Close in Woree on August 1 that was recovered two days later at Kelso, outside Townsville, missing its front bumper, grill, lights, and engine parts.
“Police are aware of two incidents where allegedly stolen cars were located, and it is forming part of the investigation as to whether they were stolen for parts,” a Queensland Police spokeswoman said.
“However, these incidents are unusual and currently, there is no evidence to suggest they are part of a wider pattern that is emerging.”
Latest stolen car data released on Monday revealed 41 vehicles have been stolen since August 1, in a theft rate that equals 2.9 cars a day.
So far this year 560 vehicles have been stolen from the Cairns area.
Police stated investigations are ongoing into thefts of the LandCruiser and HiLux dual cab and to date no arrests have been made.
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Originally published as Cairns stolen cars: Expert rules out vehicle key cloning scam
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