Car thieves can steal vehicles in as little as two minutes - Bukit Aman
KUALA LUMPUR: Vehicle theft syndicates are becoming increasingly sophisticated, with some able to steal targeted high-value vehicles in as little as two to five minutes using specialised electronic devices.
Federal Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M. Kumar revealed that vehicle theft syndicates are becoming more sophisticated, using specialized electronic devices to quickly steal high-value vehicles. These operations can be completed within two to five minutes. Kumar stated that some syndicates employ rental vehicles and electronic equipment to carry out their activities.
He noted that recent police operations against these theft rings have uncovered the use of such specialized devices, which can bypass vehicle security systems by programming or generating keys for various models.
The destination of stolen vehicles depends on the type of vehicle and the syndicate's objective. Motorcycles and lorries may be sent to illegal workshops or stores for parts, while cars are often modified, stripped for spare parts, or even smuggled out of the country, including to Thailand. Kumar advised vehicle owners to not solely rely on factory-fitted security systems, recommending multiple layers of protection, such as parking in well-lit areas with CCTV coverage or security guards, using physical locks like steering and pedal locks, and GPS trackers.
He emphasized the importance of always locking vehicles and never leaving the engine running unattended, especially for smart key users who should securely store keys and activate tracking and notification features when available.
From March 2024 to July 2026, the department dismantled 104 vehicle theft syndicates, resulting in 579 arrests, with 386 facing court charges. These operations also led to the recovery of 10,693 stolen vehicles. Despite these efforts, vehicle theft in Malaysia has seen a 11.3% decrease from 14,201 cases in 2024 to 12,599 in 2025.
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