Some Toyota car models confiscated by the police. Crime syndicates in Johor targeting luxury and 4x4 vehicles need just 30 seconds to make off with the cars, which are smuggled and sold to neighbouring countries, according to local police. They use devices that can start a car’s ignition and jammers that turn off the vehicle’s alarms and Global Positioning System, Johor police chief M.
Kumar told the press on July 25. He said these syndicates involved mainly in stealing cars, motorcycles and automobile spare parts were crushed during a month-long operation from June 21 to July 21 led by multiple district police forces in Johor. The police targeted car workshops, as well as automobile and spare parts sellers among others, and arrested more than 110 men and women aged 16 to 59.
Some of those arrested were wanted for drug offences, while around two dozen of them were found to have been involved in stealing luxury cars and motorcycles. The thieves would operate in small groups of two or three people, using rental cars to roam estates, ungated residential communities and shopping centre car parks, said Mr Kumar. Stolen cars would be transported to neighbouring countries by land, where a single vehicle could fetch the criminals up to RM40,000 (S$11,520) on the black market, he added, without naming specific countries.
Demand from these markets dictated which vehicles were targeted, Mr Kumar said. He listed car models by Japanese carmaker Toyota, including the Fortuner, Vellfire, Alphard and Hilux, as frequently stolen by the syndicates. Older vehicles were also in demand on the black market as their spare parts might have become difficult to obtain, he added.
Sophisticated devices including key programmers and jammers used by the car theft syndicates. PHOTO: POLIS JOHOR/FACEBOOK During their operations, the police confiscated more than 80 motor vehicles, including cars, a van, lorries, motorcycles, bike frames and various car components. The motor vehicles were to be returned to their owners after investigations were complete.
In 2024, 69 luxury and four-wheel drive cars valued at RM8.8 million (S$2.54 million) have been reported lost in Johor, Mr Kumar said.
The Johor police chief urged motorists to ensure their automobiles were well-guarded by security systems. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel now.
