With the advent of new-age software-based technologies, telematics and security systems, robbing a new car has become more challenging for thieves than ever. However, despite such latest technologies offered in vehicles, the thieves are managing to rob cars without...

With the advent of new-age software-based technologies, telematics and security systems, robbing a new car has become more challenging for thieves than ever. However, despite such latest technologies offered in vehicles, the thieves are managing to rob cars without much hesitation. In one such recent robbery case reported from Gorakhpur, a woman thief managed to steal a Toyota Fortuner using software on her laptop.

A video uploaded by the YouTube channel of Prateek Singh described how a woman thief flew away with a Toyota Fortuner parked outside a home. In the video, the presenter shows CCTV footage of a lane outside the home where a white-coloured Toyota Fortuner was parked. In the CCTV footage, a woman is seen appearing with a laptop in her handbag, and after reaching the Fortuner, she can be seen smashing the window of the SUV.

After breaking the window of the Toyota Fortuner, the woman thief manages to get inside the SUV and tries to start it after opening her laptop. It is believed that the thief tried to start the Fortuner using some software installed on her laptop. After a few trials, the thief manages to start the Fortuner, after which she is seen driving away with the SUV without any hesitation. The entire attempt of the robbery was recorded in the CCTV footage, which was placed outside the home, where the Fortuner was parked too.

Robbing a car or SUV as expensive as a Toyota Fortuner is not an easy job, considering that it is one of the newest-generation cars equipped with the latest security systems. However, it should be noted that the lady thief managed to rob it using software on her laptop. Starting a car, which heavily relies on its electronic control unit for various functions including its ignition system, is possible if someone has a thorough knowledge of the entire programming system of the vehicle’s electronics.

How was the car stolen?

Theft of modern vehicles with keyless fobs has become a significant concern. Surprisingly, duplicating a key for these cars doesn’t require the original key. Instead, one only needs the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and a security PIN, which can be obtained from the dealership after proving ownership of the vehicle.

Using this information, keymakers can create a duplicate key fob that functions seamlessly with the targeted vehicle. In the presented scenario, the thief has taken a photograph of the VIN, indicating a possible connection or affiliation with the dealership where they obtained the PIN for that specific vehicle.

The cloned key is then reprogrammed using readily accessible online software and hardware. This entire process takes around 15 minutes and doesn’t activate the vehicle’s security system because it assumes the original key is being used to unlock the car.

There have been numerous cases where thieves successfully drive away cars equipped with immobilizers. Immobilizers are security devices that verify the vehicle’s start-up by matching a unique code with the car’s key. If the key’s code doesn’t match the immobilizer’s code, the car won’t start.

Modern thieves employ devices to reprogram a new key for the vehicle, ensuring that it aligns with the immobilizer code, effectively bypassing any recognition by the vehicle’s security system.

While this entire incident was a nightmare for the Toyota Fortuner owner, it might be a possibility that this Fortuner did not have telematics installed in it. Modern-day cars and SUVs come with integrated telematics units, that alert the car owner and help him find the exact location of his vehicle by giving alerts on the security app installed on his smartphone. With the help of telematics, it is possible to trace the car and its usage even after it gets stolen.

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