Nearly thirty stolen cars were recorded by the police. In total, eleven individuals were arrested, notably in Dordogne, Gironde and Seine-Saint-Denis.
Five individuals suspected of being linked to a network of stolen cars in Libourne (Gironde) were placed in pre-trial detention, we learned Le Figaro with the gendarmerie. In total, eleven men were arrested in several departments, notably in Dordogne and Gironde.
Around thirty stolen cars were recorded by the military, some of which were “replaced, disguised and administratively regularized”explains the gendarmerie.
«Mousejacking»
It all starts at the beginning of 2024. Four cars are stolen in Libourne using the “mousejacking” method. This is a theft technique based on computer hacking of a vehicle. It first consists of opening the car using a thin iron bar. Once inside, the criminal encodes a new start key by connecting to the vehicle diagnostic socket (OBD) using a box. He can then leave with the automobile without having to use the original key.
This operating mode appeared with the development of electronics on board cars and in particular with the generalization of contactless opening and starting systems, explain the gendarmes. Metal keys have since given way to remote controls equipped with a transponder. This system then makes it possible to communicate with the vehicle's on-board computer via a radio signal and sending a code. “Recognition of this code by the car authorizes locking and unlocking of the doors and starting of the engine”continue the soldiers.
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The first investigations carried out by the gendarmes made it possible to locate one of the stolen vehicles in Dordogne. Two individuals were then arrested and claimed to be part of the team that stole the four cars.
The investigation continues under the authority of the Libourne public prosecutor in collaboration with the Bordeaux Research Section and the Libourne departmental gendarmerie company. The investigations carried out by the investigators, “supplemented by monitoring”make it possible to identify the members of this network, each having a well-defined role: an order giver, a thief, a receiver and a “SIVeur”. The latter is responsible for hijacking the vehicle's system and thus making it “like new», still relates the gendarmerie
Judicial operation
At the same time, seven of the stolen vehicles revealed fraud in the Vehicle Registration System (SIV) data, allowing investigators to target two suspicious establishments in Gironde and Bouches-du-Rhône.
On November 5, an operation was launched by the gendarmes in Dordogne, Gironde, Aisne, Alpes-Maritimes and Seine-Saint-Denis and allowed the suspects to be arrested. “The majority of them are known from judicial documentation for acts of theft, receiving stolen property, violence, forgery and drug offenses”indicate the military.
Searches allowed investigators to get their hands on several stolen vehicles, numerous French and foreign administrative documents (Germany, Belgium), numerous telephones, car keys of different brands, an ODB adapter for diagnosis as well as cash. Drugs and a handgun were also seized from the home of one of the criminals.
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