'relay Crime' Theft Caught On Camera

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-42132804/relay-crime-theft-caught-on-camera

Could anyone please explain how this scam is possible ? I don't know what a "relay box" is.

[ToraToraTora]

this works with keyless go type systems. Essentially the keyless go card/key is inside the house and transmitting, the theives device intercepts that signal and replays it to the car which thinks the key is present. I always disable the keyless go systems on any car that has it silly tech of no real use beyond gimmickery.

[douglas9401]

Seems to be something that boosts the range of the keyless entry fob.

Stupid idea in the first place.

Can't really see a go-getting, product wearing designer addict faffing about with a Thatcham approved lump of steel when he's just keen to get with Suze for some lovin'.

Too far? :-)

[ToraToraTora]

no need for hardware, simply disable the keyless go system.

[ToraToraTora]

this is a classic case of "if it aint broke.....don't fix it" - recently car security has been so good that thieves now break into the house to steal the keys. Now keyless go which serves no useful purpose has undermined all that.

[mikey4444]

Is it possible to disable the keyless entry system, and go back to using the key in the lock, like most less expensive cars do ?

[douglas9401]

'Keyless entry' suggests there are no locks but I could be wrong

[Togo]

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/news/thieves-stole-a-high-tech-mercedes-by-tricking-its-sensors-into-thinking-they-had-the-keys/ar-BBFM5f3?li=BBoPJKX

Must admit I like my keyless ignition. But keep the keys well out of range of the car at night. Plus "She who must be obeyed" parks behind me on the drive blocking me in with a standard ignition motor as she is out before me in the mornings.

[Togo]

There are locks in the normal way. The keyless fob also has a normal inside it yo operate the doors in the event of low battery and a docking point in the car that the fob needs to sit in to start the engine. Again in the event of low battery in the fob.

[mikey4444]

I am in agreement with others here. All that this new-fangled "keyless" entry seem to save is the insertion of a key into the ignition, so why bother ?

[Togo]

has a normal key inside it to operate the doors

[ToraToraTora]

"Is it possible to disable the keyless entry system, and go back to using the key in the lock, like most less expensive cars do ? " - yes mikey as I said at 09:59

[bhg481]

With "keyless" you only have to have the fob on your person to be able to unlock/lock the doors and start the car. You only need to use the key to unlock the car if the battery in the fob is flat, so a very convenient. With some of the newer ones you can just wave your foot under the boot for it to open for you, so no fumbling wth packages. I wouldn't be without it.

[ToraToraTora]

doug, normal locks normal key, the keyless bit is a an unnecessary gimnic that serves no purpose and is in fact making it worse as this whole issue shows. OG by the car makers.

[Togo]

I think it is the keyless ignition that is the problem here. That cannot be disabled as there is no ignition barrel for the emergency "key" hidden in the fob. That is only provided to gain entry through the driver door that has a solenoid fired system to operate the central locking should the battery fail in the fob. The key fob then needs to be placed in a little docking station on the dash because the motor's detection system needs confirmation that the "key" is present. When the battery in the fob is good the system can detect the presence of the fob within a range of about 8 ft. These scumbags use a detector to scan the fob that is say in the owners home, amplify the signal and resend it to a relay that captures the signature(different for every car). This relay then tricks the car into thinking that the fob is present.

[douglas9401]

Ah, I see now, they're using 'keyless' in it's original Persian sense meaning 'it has a key'. :-)

[bhg481]

The non-keyless version of my Volvo still doesn't have an ignition barrel on the steering column. Both versions of the car have a slot in the dashboard, with normal ignition you HAVE to put the fob in the slot, with keyless you have the option.

[mikey4444]

Surely this theft has shown us, that whatever system the Merc had, it is distressingly easy to overcome. If it had an ordinary key, then this "relay box" wouldn't have worked.

Car manufactures must running round like headless chickens at the moment.

[Togo]

My keyless ignition system will operate with the key in my pocket or anywhere in the car if the battery is good in the Fob. I only needs to be in the dock if the battery is goosed. Mondeo Titanium X Ecoboost.

[Togo]

I think the keyless ignition systems are somehow linked to the stop start systems on modern motors. Driven of course by the "green" lobby pressure groups and our emission tax scam. Barrel ignition cars are even easier to over ride for the determined thief. They are not targeting keyless ignition cars just the top marque models that are easily sold on in Albania.

[ToraToraTora]

togo, cobras, they still have an ignition, ordinary key, door locks etc. I had a CL600 with this and in its setup system you could disable the whole keyless fiasco very simply.