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The Malay Mail
HOW TO STEAL A TOYOTA
Submitted by pekwan on Friday, December 18th, 2009
Just Google, and you can break into one with a RM300 device
Muzliza Mustafa
Friday, December 18th, 2009 09:39:00
Toyota Gadget
THE GADGET: The Toyota Key Maker (TKM) used by syndicates to steal Toyota cars
PETALING JAYA: It doesn't take that much to steal a Toyota, surprisingly.
All one needs to do is to Google and you are on your way to "owning" one.
A probe by The Malay Mail revealed that one particular device — known as the Toyota Key Maker (TKM) — can be easily purchased online.
The device, believed to be used by car thieves to whisk away cars of that popular Japanese make, is a legal device to duplicate keys for Toyota cars.
Other than online, you can even buy it at some workshops, authorised or otherwise, to neutralise the car's computer system that controls the alarm and ignition.
Police sources told The Paper That Cares that the device was among the assortment of car theft paraphernalia they seized from syndicates targetting Toyota cars.
Naturally, police were shocked to find out that the device is easily available on the Internet.
Toyota
Several websites we visited revealed that anyone can purchase the device using a PayPal account and have it shipped directly to them.
Each device, which comes in blue and orange, costs a mere RM300.
The websites were mostly trading portals and involved in selling different kinds of auto-repair tools, including the TKM devices manufactured in China.
One of the portals we visited describes in great detail how the device is to be used. Another portal, besides offering the TKM device, also sells key makers for continental cars.
Police could not confirm whether car theft syndicates they crippled recently bought the devices online or obtained them from workshops.
Car theft syndicate members, working in pairs, can steal a Toyota car in 10 to 15 minutes. They need to work in pairs because some of the processes involved require them to work in a synchronised manner.
Once they have neutralised the alarm system and smashed the car window, the rest is easy: plugging the TKM into a slot near the ignition system will allow the device to override the existing system within 10 seconds, making it ready for reprogramming.
One thief will drill out the ignition key slot, leaving a hole to allow the other thief to place any Toyota key there.
Since most Toyota keys contain an embedded chip, the system would identify it as a 'valid' Toyota key. The thief can then just place a screwdriver into the hole and start the engine. The hole is only small enough to fit a screwdriver.
Police said car theft syndicates have sufficient knowledge about the inner working of cars, their mechanics and the auto business.
Efforts to get comments from Toyota Malaysia on TKM being used by car theft syndicates have proved futile for more than a week.
PAST POLICE BUSTS
Dec 9: The Hassan Budu Gang, believed to be involved in stealing four-wheel-drive vehicles in Gerik, Perak, is crippled.
Nov 19: A luxury vehicle theft syndicate is smashed following the arrest of its mastermind, another member and the seizure of four vehicles worth RM1 million in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Oct 15: A luxury vehicle theft syndicate known to have stolen at least 30 cars in four months is smashed with the arrest of four of its members in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.
Aug 20: A car theft syndicate said to be operarting for over 10 years is busted in Johor Baru with the arrest of seven members and the seizure of six cars worth RM300,000. The seven also tested positive for syabu.
May 26: A car repossessor is arrested in connection with 20 car theft cases in Shah Alam, Selangor. He was among five people picked up.
March 5: Police bust a luxury car theft syndicate in Ampang, Selangor, with the arrest of four suspects. Four cars are recovered.
HOW TO STEAL A TOYOTA
Submitted by pekwan on Friday, December 18th, 2009
Just Google, and you can break into one with a RM300 device
Muzliza Mustafa
Friday, December 18th, 2009 09:39:00
Toyota Gadget
THE GADGET: The Toyota Key Maker (TKM) used by syndicates to steal Toyota cars
PETALING JAYA: It doesn't take that much to steal a Toyota, surprisingly.
All one needs to do is to Google and you are on your way to "owning" one.
A probe by The Malay Mail revealed that one particular device — known as the Toyota Key Maker (TKM) — can be easily purchased online.
The device, believed to be used by car thieves to whisk away cars of that popular Japanese make, is a legal device to duplicate keys for Toyota cars.
Other than online, you can even buy it at some workshops, authorised or otherwise, to neutralise the car's computer system that controls the alarm and ignition.
Police sources told The Paper That Cares that the device was among the assortment of car theft paraphernalia they seized from syndicates targetting Toyota cars.
Naturally, police were shocked to find out that the device is easily available on the Internet.
Toyota
Several websites we visited revealed that anyone can purchase the device using a PayPal account and have it shipped directly to them.
Each device, which comes in blue and orange, costs a mere RM300.
The websites were mostly trading portals and involved in selling different kinds of auto-repair tools, including the TKM devices manufactured in China.
One of the portals we visited describes in great detail how the device is to be used. Another portal, besides offering the TKM device, also sells key makers for continental cars.
Police could not confirm whether car theft syndicates they crippled recently bought the devices online or obtained them from workshops.
Car theft syndicate members, working in pairs, can steal a Toyota car in 10 to 15 minutes. They need to work in pairs because some of the processes involved require them to work in a synchronised manner.
Once they have neutralised the alarm system and smashed the car window, the rest is easy: plugging the TKM into a slot near the ignition system will allow the device to override the existing system within 10 seconds, making it ready for reprogramming.
One thief will drill out the ignition key slot, leaving a hole to allow the other thief to place any Toyota key there.
Since most Toyota keys contain an embedded chip, the system would identify it as a 'valid' Toyota key. The thief can then just place a screwdriver into the hole and start the engine. The hole is only small enough to fit a screwdriver.
Police said car theft syndicates have sufficient knowledge about the inner working of cars, their mechanics and the auto business.
Efforts to get comments from Toyota Malaysia on TKM being used by car theft syndicates have proved futile for more than a week.
PAST POLICE BUSTS
Dec 9: The Hassan Budu Gang, believed to be involved in stealing four-wheel-drive vehicles in Gerik, Perak, is crippled.
Nov 19: A luxury vehicle theft syndicate is smashed following the arrest of its mastermind, another member and the seizure of four vehicles worth RM1 million in Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Oct 15: A luxury vehicle theft syndicate known to have stolen at least 30 cars in four months is smashed with the arrest of four of its members in Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya.
Aug 20: A car theft syndicate said to be operarting for over 10 years is busted in Johor Baru with the arrest of seven members and the seizure of six cars worth RM300,000. The seven also tested positive for syabu.
May 26: A car repossessor is arrested in connection with 20 car theft cases in Shah Alam, Selangor. He was among five people picked up.
March 5: Police bust a luxury car theft syndicate in Ampang, Selangor, with the arrest of four suspects. Four cars are recovered.