Car thieves go for skill upgrades overseas

IT SEEMS that even crime bosses understand the import of skills upgrading.

The New Sunday Times reported that car theft syndicates in Malaysia have been
sending their members to Japan so that they can learn how to better disable car
alarm systems.

A police source told the paper: "Japan is the country of choice because it is the home to some of the biggest car makers such as Toyota and Honda."During the course, which usually lasts for about three months, the thieves can even specialize in specific skills.

For example, one syndicate member may get in-depth lessons on disabling car alarms while another studies how to make duplicate keys or how to open steering locks.

There are even those who specialize in breaking into a particular make of car.

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

The syndicates reportedly send their members for these courses each time a new Japanese car is introduced into the market so that they can 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," the source explained.These upgrading courses are just one of the ways car theft syndicates are evolving with the times, turning from small-time operators into sophisticated outfits with a global market.

While the Malaysian syndicates previously sold stolen vehicles only to local workshops and criminals, they now have customers in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Afghanistan, China, and even as far as South Africa.Apart from those who steal the cars, the racket now also involves brokers who match the syndicates with potential buyers overseas.

Buyers would contact brokers in their country to put an "order" for a specific make and model.These brokers will then contact their counterparts in Malaysia, who in turn will get the syndicates to steal the vehicle.Operate in pairsThe police source said thieves often operate in pairs, scouting areas such as car parks and quiet roads.

Once a car is found, one syndicate member will disable the alarm system while his partner breaks into the vehicle.They then take the car to have its registration plate changed and keys duplicated before dropping it off at a pre-arranged location, usually in a car park of a condominium.The key is left on top of the car tire or inside the glove compartment, and the broker is informed.In the next step, the broker pays a runner between RM500 ($224) and RM1, 000 to drive the car to one of Malaysia's many ports. Where it is put inside a shipping container, and sent to the client.

Foreign buyers normally pay between US$2,700 ($4,000) and US$60,000 for a stolen vehicle.

For example, a stolen Mercedes-Benz S350L, which costs nearly RM1 million ($450,000) in Malaysia, can be had for just RM217, 000.

The syndicate usually gets between RM2, 000 and RM3, 000 for each vehicle they steal.
Apart from stealing cars, the syndicates now also provide value-added services such as altering the chassis number, duplicating car keys, and forging road tax discs and registration plates.Packages cost between RM2, 000 and RM50, 000, depending on the vehicle.

To curb the rising incidence of such car thefts, Malaysia's National Vehicle Theft Reduction Council has been working on several initiatives.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar, who heads the council, said: "Currently, discussions are being held with various parties to examine the feasibility of offering discounts on insurance premiums to car owners if they install additional alarm systems.

src:http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20090319-129620.html