“Mouse jacking” has become widespread in France in recent years. This burglary-free theft technique is applicable to the most modern car models. It consists of neutralizing the vehicle's computer security using a computer and software. This is a hack and, therefore, a difficult technique to foil. The procedure is often the same. Thieves spot the cars that interest them, explains the site lelynx.fr. The models concerned share common points, namely being German brand sedans with powerful engines.
“Once the cars are found, they note the serial number of the vehicle visible on the windshield which they need to order a new key from the dealership which itself has an accomplice within it. After having the key in their possession, they must provide themselves with computer equipment including a laptop. Using the previously ordered key, the thieves open the car door and connect their machine to the car's on-board computer. Thanks to dedicated software, they manage to reconfigure the computer systems of the most sophisticated cars. Once the manipulation is carried out, the vehicle starts and the thieves flee with the vehicle in question,” details the site.
Eleven suspects arrested
The network, hierarchical between order giver, thief, receiver and data modification specialist, had “replaced, disguised and administratively regularized” some of the stolen vehicles. Eleven suspects were arrested last week following an operation launched jointly by the gendarmes of Gironde, Dordogne, Aisne, Alpes-Maritimes and Seine-Saint-Denis.
The majority of those arrested were known to the judicial authorities for theft, receiving stolen property, violence and drug offenses, according to the gendarmes. The five indictees were placed in pre-trial detention. According to statistics from the Theft Observatory, carried out by the specialized company Coyote Secure, theft by electronic hacking, which does not damage the vehicle or alter its value, represents almost nine flights out of 10 in France.
France
