Hackers Steal More Than 100 Hi-Tech Cars and Trucks, Transport Them to Mexico ABC Radio
go to original August 9, 2016

A pair of alleged thieves pulled off a high-tech plot to steal more than 100 Fiat Chrysler vehicles and send them to Mexico from Texas, police said, and the company believes the suspects reprogrammed key fobs with the help of employees at dealerships and repair facilities.

Two suspects were arrested for allegedly stealing Jeep Wranglers, Cherokees and Dodge pickup trucks and transporting them across the U.S.-Mexico border. Police say the alleged scheme was usually conducted overnight, with owners not learning of the thefts until sometime the next day.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles spokesman Berj Alexanian told ABC News that employees at Fiat Chrysler dealerships, independent repair facilities and locksmiths have access to databases that list the key codes that pair wireless key fobs with the vehicles they open and start.

The automaker believes the suspects were able to buy usernames and passwords from employees of those facilities, giving them access to the keycode databases.

With that information in hand, the alleged thieves then bought generic key fobs online, found vehicles in the database and broke into them, the spokesman said. Once inside, they were able to enter the vehicle identification number into the database and reprogram the new key fob, giving them the ability to start the engine and drive away, the spokesman said the company believes.

Alexanian called the move modern-day hot-wiring. Fiat Chrysler is asking that car owners ensure their vehicles are in a safe location at night and locked.

Read the rest at WWGP 1050

Related: 225,000 Cars Stolen in Mexico Since 2015: Report (Insight Crime)

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