Car Theft On The Rise, Targeting SUVs, Pick-Ups

According to a recent report by The Star, statistics show that car theft has been on the rise in Malaysia, with syndicates specifically targeting SUVs, 4x4s, and pick-up trucks. There has been a concerning increase in the number of stolen vehicles in the nation, with a high of 14,592 last year compared to 14,433 in 2022 and 13,426 in 2021.
With 10,589 stolen, motorcycles account for the largest percentage, likely due to the demand for spare parts. 3,225 cars, including pick-ups, SUVs, and MPVs, were reported missing, which is a slight decrease from the 3,264 reported in 2022, and 778 lorries were reportedly disappeared.

Comm Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, director of the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID), told The Star that the majority of the stolen cars were being sold to neighboring countries for a third of their used market value.
"Our investigations revealed that vehicle theft syndicates are targeting 4×4 vehicles and SUVs due to high demand, as such vehicles can fetch a high price in the black market. Local vehicle theft syndicates will be paid between RM20,000 and RM30,000 per luxury vehicle by international syndicates, depending on the type and condition of the vehicle,” he added.

According to Shuhaily, car theft syndicates in Malaysia are using electronic tools they purchased online to get around car security systems. He emphasizes that the availability of these devices on online marketplaces has made the issue worse by giving syndicates easy access to devices that can take advantage of weaknesses in vehicles.

Keyless entry systems are a popular target for criminals who use electronic devices like powerful jammers to turn off GPS tracking and get around security measures. Syndicates adjust by breaking into systems or taking advantage of physical security weaknesses, such as readily accessible alarm cables, even in the face of improvements in vehicle security. Criminals also use advanced strategies, such as watching a target vehicle for 24 to 72 hours prior to striking, Shuhaily added.

For the record, the CID has recovered 13,704 of the 53,300 vehicles that have been stolen since 2021. In relation to car thefts, the department also arrested 17,199 people nationwide. All of the people who were arrested had criminal histories that included drug offenses and thefts of cars and motorcycles, according to Shuhaily.