Police email warns new device can emulate car fobs, garage door remotes

An internal email sent to Queensland police officers has warned of the dangers of a device capable of emulating, copying and transferring “a variety of different types of frequency and code to open cars, garage doors and safes”.

Police said while the devices had not been used to steal a car in Queensland, they had been seized.Credit: iStock

The email said police at Boondall recently seized a Flipper Zero scanning device.

Marketed as a “multi-tool device for geeks”, police believe its capabilities could include the ability to unlock car doors remotely.

“As for mobile devices, it can emulate devices, such as air tags and other types of tracking devices,” the email read.

“If in close proximity, the Flipper Zero can force notifications through Bluetooth to mobile phones.”

Community safety group Acting Superintendent Rob Fleischer said the devices had not been used to steal a car in Queensland, but they had been seized by police.

Community safety group Acting Superintendent Rob Fleischer.Credit: QPS

“There is a trend developing worldwide in the [United] States and the United Kingdom of emerging technology that allows some devices to be able to read the codes and frequencies from electronic devices,” Fleischer said.

“On occasion as well, they’re being used to read the frequencies of key fobs from cars to allow criminals to access vehicles.

“These devices have turned up whether that’s in search warrants or being handed into the police station.

“We’re aware it can be used for criminal means, so if you’re caught with this device we’ll be asking some serious questions about why you have this device and what you are using it for.”

A Flipper Zero advertised for sale at a Brisbane pawn shop.

CCTV footage taken in February on the Gold Coast showed a thief breaking into an SUV at night.

The owner said his keys were locked inside. Police were now investigating whether an electronic device was used to unlock the car’s doors.

The email, obtained by Nine News, said “the Flipper Zero is able to be upgraded for use via many different and possibly unknown means by experienced hackers”, meaning its true capabilities were “evolving” and “unknown”.

Fleischer issued advice to concerned car owners.

“If you’re concerned about the frequency being read from your car fob, place your car keys in a tin or something like a Faraday case, which is a foil case.

“Remove your keys from the vicinity of your car.”

Canada has moved to ban the importation, sale and use of the Flipper Zero.

The device’s designers have hit back, issuing a statement that banning the product would “do nothing to solve the car theft problem”, adding the device had limited functionality and could not be used to break into a car “without powerful radio repeaters”.

Queensland police said Flipper Zeros had already been used in the US to steal data from key cards and fobs.