In a growing trend of high-tech car theft, thieves in Dudley, UK recently used key cloning technology to steal a Porsche Panamera. The crime, which involved capturing the signal from the car’s key fob and programming a new, identical fob, allowed the criminals to steal the luxury vehicle without the need for traditional methods like hotwiring or forced entry. The Panamera was easily unlocked, started, and driven off by the thieves.
Key cloning, a method increasingly being used in car thefts, involves capturing the signal emitted by a key fob. Using advanced tools similar to those used by locksmiths, criminals can create a duplicate fob, allowing them to access and start the car without triggering alarms or alerts. This is exactly what happened to the Porsche owner in Dudley, who likely had no idea their car was vulnerable.
Fortunately, the police were able to spot the stolen Porsche and quickly pursued it. Despite the Porsche Panamera’s superior performance compared to typical UK police vehicles, officers managed to keep up during the chase. The thief eventually abandoned the car in a parking lot and attempted to escape by running into a canal, but the getaway proved less effective than the initial theft.
To protect against key cloning, experts recommend using a Faraday cage to block the key fob’s signal. Thieves often stand near a home, by doors or windows, to capture the signal from key fobs left on tables or hanging on walls. Faraday cages are an affordable and simple way to prevent key cloning and can be found easily online. By storing your keys in these signal-blocking devices, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this high-tech theft.
Shawn Henry