How do thieves do it?
Contactless keys are very practical for motorists, but make the task of criminals easier. By using devices to amplify the signal from the devices used to operate the automobile, thieves can take the car and leave unseen or known, without breaking the window. This ploy works even if the key is inside the home.
There is a whole modus operandi after the flight to go under the radar. The vehicle identification number, the famous VIN, is at the heart of this strategy. When a vehicle is reported stolen in Canada, the VIN is recorded in the Canadian Police Information Center (CPIC) as stolen, making re-registration almost impossible. The bandits then replace the VIN in order to be able to register the vehicle.
Some thieves are tasked with scouting only. They therefore sell information, such as addresses of vehicle owners who are in higher demand. The price for an address can vary, but we’re talking hundreds of dollars, according to a criminal source who has stolen cars in the past.
Why have thefts increased?
The increase in car thefts coincides with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and is explained by the scarcity of new motor vehicles on the market. The pandemic has caused significant shortages in the semiconductor industry, which is the main component of electronic chips, essential parts for manufacturing motor vehicles. As a result, the price of new and used cars has skyrocketed.
The underworld saw in this shortage an opportunity to enrich themselves. According to the General Insurance Statistics Agency, all Canadian provinces experienced an increase in vehicle thefts in 2022. We are talking about an overall increase of 24%, compared to the previous year. And the wave seems far from over. The Montreal City Police Service (SPVM) has reported a 29% increase in vehicle thefts since the start of 2023.
Which models are targeted?
For the second year in a row, the Honda CR-V is the most popular with thieves, according to a ranking from the Équité Association.
Late model SUVs and pickup trucks (2020-2023) are very popular with thieves and therefore almost omnipresent on the list. The reason is simple: these types of vehicles are more sought after and rarer in the countries where the stolen goods are sent.
Older models are not immune, however: they remain targeted due to ongoing supply chain issues, which impact the supply of replacement parts. Some stolen cars are also used to commit crimes.
How to protect yourself?
There are ways to protect yourself against this unpredictable scourge.
As it is possible to amplify the signal from a contactless key, we suggest avoiding leaving it near the front door of your home. You can store your key in a Faraday or anti-RFID box, available in several supermarkets. This will prevent the thief from “scanning” the signal to unlock the vehicle remotely.
The good old method of the bar on the steering wheel can also deter many people.
Let us also remember that thieves do not only operate in residential areas, explains a police source who cannot speak to the media. More and more thefts are occurring in park-and-ride lots or in large stores. You must therefore monitor your vehicle even when traveling. Thieves even go so far as to install a geolocation system on certain car models spotted in private parking alleys.
The SPVM advises motorists to use an immobilizer or OBD (On Board Diagnostic) protection. This would help reduce the number of thefts significantly, explains the police force. “Putting a lock on the steering wheel is also a good thing to do to protect yourself from theft. »
What to do in case of theft ?
No tip for protecting yourself is infallible. However, investing in a tracking system can make it easier for the police or car owner to locate a stolen vehicle.
Before ending up at the port of Montreal, stolen cars often remain for several hours or even days in a place considered discreet. A geolocation system is therefore not useless, even if there is no guarantee that the vehicle will be traced.
Where are stolen cars sent?
The port of Montreal is, according to a report from the Canadian Criminal Intelligence Service (CISC), the hub of car theft in the country.
Most stolen cars are destined abroad, mainly to African or Middle Eastern countries. They do not necessarily go overseas immediately after the flight. There is a short period where the car will remain “static, on standby”, in strategic locations.
Why fight this scourge?
In addition to the hassle caused for the user who has their main means of transport stolen (purchase of another more expensive vehicle, increasing insurance premium, etc.), let us remember that the proceeds of these crimes finance… others crimes. Profits generated by criminal organizations go into drug trafficking, arms trafficking and human trafficking, according to Équité Association.
We also note the rise in Ontario of “road piracy”, according to a CISC report. This term designates an attack on the driver allowing the thief to take control of the vehicle. “Levels of violence during vehicle hijackings are expected to increase as the popularity of this method of theft increases, particularly with the use of weapons,” CISC said in its report.
Car thefts can result in violations of the Road Safety Code on the part of the suspect, a police source confirms. It is very common to observe speeding on the part of the thief who tries to flee from the police when he is spotted.