Jump to content

Car thieves sent for skills upgrades


Billcoke
 Share

Recommended Posts

In Singapore, during bad times, garmen will tell the people to upgrade their skill, but in the car industry, may be car thieves have skills upgrade for better career prospect too ???

 

 

-------------

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

 

17 March 2009

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,...,195974,00.html?

 

IT SEEMS that even crime bosses understand the importance 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.

 

An 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 specialise 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 specialise 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 pairs

 

The police source said thieves often operate in pairs, scouting areas such as carparks 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 carpark of a condominium.

 

The key is left on top of the car tyre 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.

 

'Several workshops are also being organised with representatives from state police contingents as part of the plan to crack down on car theft syndicates.'

↡ Advertisement
Link to post
Share on other sites

Neutral Newbie

wah! our local companies are cutting down on training budget drastically yet they are sending them for overseas training. [speechless]

 

The local companies should follow this example.

Link to post
Share on other sites

(edited)
An 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.'

 

Since Toyota and Honda are the number one selling car in Singapore (may be it is same for Malaysia), these car thieves being trained by the manufacturers will be spoilt with choices when they are back home in Asia; there so many Honda and Toyota on the road.

 

Think we need to follow what Mr. Bean did, install a external pad lock to the car.

Edited by Billcoke
Link to post
Share on other sites

Remember the recent Honda CRV cases? Think they are not as professional as these who are trained to overcome all the OEM securities provided.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Turbocharged

An 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.'

 

Since Toyota and Honda are the number one selling car in Singapore (may be it is same for Malaysia), these car thieves being trained by the manufacturers will be spoilt with choices when they are back home in Asia; there so many Honda and Toyota on the road.

 

Think we need to follow what Mr. Bean did, install a external pad lock to the car.

 

or buy a wheel clamp and clamp your wheel wherever you go..

Link to post
Share on other sites

Supercharged

Maybe one day, there will be a certificate for these car thieves. Those who have a master degree in car theft will take up the management role in these syndicates.

 

I hope authorities include their wage in the national wage statistics. It will raise up the wage level a lot!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Haha...I use to have an Indo classmate who drives a Skyline which was stolen from Malaysia and imported to Indonesia.

Link to post
Share on other sites

or buy a wheel clamp and clamp your wheel wherever you go..

 

[laugh] [laugh] Thats a very good idea! Then u can anyhow park in condos & shopping ctrs as the security guard will think that his colleague has got ur vehicle clammed, so he won't bother it [sly]

 

BTW...i like ur avatar! [thumbsup]

Edited by Rickster
Link to post
Share on other sites

Neutral Newbie

Maybe one day, there will be a certificate for these car thieves. Those who have a master degree in car theft will take up the management role in these syndicates.

 

I hope authorities include their wage in the national wage statistics. It will raise up the wage level a lot!

And why go jepun for training? come come come to singapore. our uni, poly and ITE can offer these courses with free scholarships. We welcome FT. :D:D:D

Link to post
Share on other sites

Maybe one day, there will be a certificate for these car thieves. Those who have a master degree in car theft will take up the management role in these syndicates.

 

I hope authorities include their wage in the national wage statistics. It will raise up the wage level a lot!

 

Certification as in MCSE, CCNA hahaha... certification for car thieves are better, at least can drive away with a Lambo.

 

But then, come to think of it, can be quite scary when these thieves know the in-and-out of the car alarm system. Unless, like what the other forumer mentioned, use steering lock or wheel lock. As for me, I trust steering lock more.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Supercharged

And guess what, even if these thieves get caught one day, they will be hired as consultants the moment they are freed from jail.

 

A bit like Frank Abigail in the "catch me if you can" movie.

 

 

↡ Advertisement
Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...