Urgent warning if you happen to personal the sort of automobile after cops bust $8million worldwide crime syndicate
An international crime syndicate has been smashed after a spate of luxury vehicles were stolen without their keys from across Brisbane.
Sixty vehicles including Toyota LandCruisers and Prados – collectively valued at around $8million – were stolen between October 20 and December 1, with police believing the thieves used special devices to disable Toyota computer systems.
The system can be hacked by using an easily accessible CANbus computer device, known as a CAN Injector, which is plugged into the car’s wiring and uses a malicious code to unlock doors and start vehicles.
It comes after police revealed on Wednesday that an internationally based crime syndicate was believed to be behind the targeted attack.
Queensland Police allege a group of foreign nationals flew into Brisbane in October and then made off with up to two stolen cars a day before shipping them to the United Arab Emirates for profit.
Seven foreign men believed to be part of the operation have now been arrested and charged with more than 300 offences.
This includes two men – aged 44 and 40 – who were each charged with 60 counts of stealing a vehicle and six counts of attempted stealing of a vehicle.
They are both due to reappear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 27.
CCTV footage captured thieves stealing a Toyota from a Brisbane home in minutes
It’s believed the syndicate used a easily accessible tech device to unlock them
Fifteen of the most recent stolen vehicles were recovered from the Port of Brisbane and Melbourne
While its understood some of the cars managed to leave Australian waters, police have been able to recover some of the stolen vehicles from wrecking yards and shipping ports across the country.
Fifteen of the most recently stolen vehicles were recovered from a Rocklea wrecking yard, the Port of Brisbane, and the Port of Melbourne.
South Brisbane District Detective Inspector Paul Dalton said investigators worked around the clock for the past two months to identify and apprehend the alleged offenders.
‘Offences of this nature are brazen and can cause significant disruption to our community’s feeling of safety and ability to travel to work, run errands, take children to school, or meet family and friends,’ he said.
‘This investigation was a top priority for local detectives to prevent further harm, hold the alleged offenders to account, and provide answers for victims.’
Det Inspector Dalton said he believed there was no longer any threat posed to the community.
‘There’d been no offences of this nature since the first arrests were made on December 2, and the community can rest assured that this syndicate no longer poses an ongoing threat to them,’ he told the Courier Mail.
‘Once again, any connection prior to them meeting in Brisbane is still part of our investigation and we are working with our international and national counterparts to identify that.’
Police discovered two allegedly stolen LandCruisers hidden behind a façade of disassembled vehicle parts
It’s alleged the group were planning to ship the whole vehicles to the UAE for profit
MOCS Brisbane Detective Acting Inspector Russell Joyce thanked local, interstate, and national law enforcement partners for their assistance throughout the investigation.
‘This was an extremely complex operation with a disciplined international syndicate allegedly targeting vehicles for personal gain.’
‘The QPS is sending a strong message that offences of this nature will not be tolerated, and police will be relentless in their pursuit of any alleged offender.’
Queensland Police said they are continuing to work closely with Toyota Australia throughout the ongoing investigation.
