Watch Someone Steal Our CX-3

"CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever" (carsoffortlangley)
08/12/2019 at 10:18 • Filed to: Best of COFL

Shortly after we bought it

I’m having breakfast as my wife heads off to the gym and I get this text.

I go outside and.. no CX-3. I check my Nest history and there is a “Person” notification at 3:45am. I click it and sure enough watch someone drive away in our CX-3. This is my wife’s car mostly, but I drive it on weekends for shopping/errands.

We think, based on the fact the vehicle was locked, the actions in the video and the key less unlock/ignition, that some sort of RF relay/bridging was used. Likely the equipment was in the backpack of the thief.

Action starts at 30 seconds

Update: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . It looks not so good.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (97)

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:07

Hacked key fob? Dude doesnt look like the most experienced car thief, very hesitant

Captain of the Enterprise > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:08

I’m so sorry, that sucks. Hopefully they can catch them.

dumpsterfire! > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:08

That sucks. May the pricks responsible be violated 7 ways from sunday.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:08

The fuck? How even?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
08/10/2019 at 22:09

We think it was hacked/scanned/boosted somehow. Looks like he has something in his had before he opens the car.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:09

That was... Quick. Did they (she? ) have the keys somehow? Or spoof them?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo
08/10/2019 at 22:09

Spoofed we think (and the police thinks)

arl > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:13

Didn’t they used to hang horse thieves?

ttyymmnn > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:16

Thank you keyless ignition? Neighbor posted a Ring video of their Audi being stolen. Took about the same amount of time. I figured something like an Audi would be harder to steal.

Akio Ohtori - RIP Oppo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:20

Thats fucking terrifying. I kinda feel like manufacturers should be held liable for the woefully inadequate security on these things.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:22

Well yeah they must have scanned it, I had a 94 Accord and they just had to pry the window out a bit.... Stolen three times in Hawaii!

Aremmes > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:23

This is why we can't have nice things (or go to the gym, as the case may be).

gmctavish needs more space > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:23

Jesus that was fast. That really sucks, and super weird

Benjamin the Canadian > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:24

Really, this is quite sad to see. I’ve been following you for some time, and love your content (when I get around to looking at Kinja). Really sucks that this is possible and so common these days. We generally keep our A7 boxed in with our Subaru to avoid this happening, or if my parents are gone for a trip, as they are now, it goes to the Audi dealership to sit in their lot. This type of theft is sadly all too common, we had an issue in my neighborhood last year where there were a number of Toyota/Lexuses stolen, specifically late model RX, GX, LX’s and 4 Runners, all with keyless go, and all of them were spoofed. On one hand I fear for the security of cars with keyless go, but on the other, I’ve come to love the feature. Regardless, hopefully they can track your CX-3 down, and return it not worse for wear!

dogisbadob > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:24

You can see the thief at 0:31

Unfortunately, I couldn’ t make out the face eve n with full screen. and 1080p

pip bip - choose Corrour > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:32

find him/her, then let the torture begin

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:40

That sucks; good luck with recovery.

fintail > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:55

Damn, this’ll be one of those cases where you hope they don’t find the car and you just get a replacement. Not sure how insurance handles it there, but for what you pay, it should be good.

I am surprised this isn’t more of a thing, with so many cars going keyless, and the apparently negligently engineered software and hardware involved.

Maxima Speed > arl
08/10/2019 at 22:56

It’s a sorely missed practice. I’m all for it being reintroduced.

InFierority Complex > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 22:57

What a complete monster. I mean, who just sits down and drives while wearing a backpack!?

I'm sorry you guys have to go through this.

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 23:16

The cx-3 must be easy to hack, cuz no offense but why steal a mazda? And he definitely had a device since he was able to unlock the car from the outside and obviously start it up without ripping into the dash at all.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 23:31

If it was a manual I doubt they could have driven it away so easily.

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/10/2019 at 23:44

I hope the video is helpful in catching the guy.

His Stigness > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
08/10/2019 at 23:50

It’s actually easy to steal any car with keyless entry. All that needs to happen is the keys need to be left near the car, usually at the front door; the thief needs some sort of booster which is easily purchased, and that’s it.

Manufacturers should be warning people of this and advise them to keep their keys well away from their cars. Personally, I keep my keys in a faraday bag well away from the cars. It’s impossible to boost the signal at that point.

DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back > His Stigness
08/11/2019 at 00:01

But I don’t get it, when they get out of the car they don’t have the key, so what then? Does the booster make a copy of the signal?

ttyymmnn > His Stigness
08/11/2019 at 00:10

Can you explain more how this boosting works?

Future Heap Owner > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 00:24

This sort of thing makes me feel justified in my weirdo techno-ludditism that causes me to stick to things made in the aughts or earlier, before manufacturers started putting networked computers in to as many things as they could.

Longtime Lurker > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 00:50

Yeesh that sucks, definitely looks like a signal booster you should buy a fara day box so this doesn’t happen again. It could be worse the Fiesta could have been parked 1st in line.

MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick) > Future Heap Owner
08/11/2019 at 00:54

Solidarity, fellow l uddite. The best cars come from the time w hen it was none of the throttle’s business what the brake pedal is doing. We can clutch our pearls together.

vicali > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 00:59

Daaang that sucks.. why couldn’t it be where’s your Forte?

Hope everything works out -keep us posted.

SmugAardvark > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 01:21

I used to always install a kill switch on either the ignition or fuel pump of any car I had. Simply hide the switch under the driver’s seat or in the locked glove box and run the wire under the carpeting. It’s a quick and easy job, and can definitely slow the progress of a would-be thief. However, I don’t know if it would work the same on modern keyless ignitions.

Luckily my “newest” car is a 10-year old Nissan economy car.

His Stigness > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
08/11/2019 at 01:26

No the tools just boost the signal to get it started. I think a majority of the time these cars are just sold for parts.

His Stigness > ttyymmnn
08/11/2019 at 01:32

So your key is constantly sending out a weak RF signal, and when you’re close enough to car, generally within one foot, your car detects it and unlocks the car.

With a simple RF signal booster you can pick up that signal from the key and boost it so the car things the key is at the car and will mimick the signal. It seems they’ve gotten more sophisticated because all the cases I’ve read about required two devices (and people). One device picks up the signal, so you usually have someone at the door scanning for the key since people usually leave their keys at the door, and once that device picks it up it’s relayed to the second person at the car which then thinks the key is present.

bob and john > ttyymmnn
08/11/2019 at 01:33

basicly, like a radio signal relay.

so, it scans the radio waves of the key and boosts the strength of them to fool the car that the key is right next to the car. car thinks key is there, car opens, car starts, car drives away

ttyymmnn > His Stigness
08/11/2019 at 02:01

Thanks. Tech is great, but really, how hard is it to carry an actual key in your pocket? I know it’s all a matter of what you’re used to, but our summer Mazda CX-9 rental had a keyless fob, and I actually found it a hassle. I think it boils down to another example of, just because you can do something, doesn’t mean you should do something.

ttyymmnn > bob and john
08/11/2019 at 02:03

I’m old enough to have watched CHiPs back in the day, and I remember one episode where these car thieves had a scam that involved valet parking. One guy worked for the valet service, and after parking a car he went to his accomplice who was parked close by in a van with a key cutting machine inside. The accomplice would quickly grind a copy of the key, then they’d go back and steal the car. It seems to me that these keyless systems just make the whole process easier.

bob and john > ttyymmnn
08/11/2019 at 02:14

its not about carrying the key in your pocket...

its about not having to fumble around for the key to unlock the car once you are there. I HATE messing around looking for the key to my bikes for this reason. Part of the reason why I convert the gas-cap to keyless.

I used to think it was a fad..but honestly, aftering having two cars with it , it makes life SOO much easier. I just grab the key in the morning, throw it in my pocket, and then just go about and do my thing. Dont have to worry about pulling it out or whatever. A lot of times, Id just throw it in my backpack and just haul that around all day.

His Stigness > ttyymmnn
08/11/2019 at 02:16

I mean, I really enjoy keyless entry in my e-Golfs, but it’s like my is ruined when I switch to my MKVI and have to press buttons and turn a key. But with my e-Golfs, I have to keep the keys in a Faraday bag when at home so someone can’t just drive off with one of them.

But it would be nice if automakers could figure out how to prevent this. Or they should at least make people aware that this can happen and how they can prevent it.

whatisthatsound > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 03:33

This is the weirdest congrats on the new car I've ever given...

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > His Stigness
08/11/2019 at 04:17

So all these keyless entry cars will let you start the car with the key nearby, and just drive away with no key present? Or is the idea that the RF booster stores the key code that it picked up and stores it and constantly sends the signalYou can essentially steal any car at a store, gas station, in public in general just by walking past the person with the key in their pocket? For how ridiculously complicated my old lexus’ transponder key is, I cant believe it is that easy on modern cars.

Under_Score > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 07:58

My RAV4 doesn’t even let someone right by the car lock or unlock it unless the key is right by the car. I could be a few feet away with my KAVU and one of my friends is by the door. They can’t open it or lock it.

It’s definitely not the system’s fault. I also don’t live in a big city, and I’m usually in an isolated or gated complex when I’m in a worse area (school).

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > fintail
08/11/2019 at 08:04

In Britain it’s apparently really bad. On ST pages, it seemed like more than one would get stolen a day.

vondon302 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 08:16

Holy crap. He had to spoof it.

Hope your day goes better.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > DAWRX - The Herb Strikes Back
08/11/2019 at 08:39

They dont turn it off until they're done using it, or it's at the chop shop.

E90M3 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 08:41

Kinja'd!!!

Sweet shirt

Mercedes Streeter > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
08/11/2019 at 10:08

Can't speak for all cars, but an ex has a Civic Touring. She would often take the key with her when she'd leave me in the car. It complained about not having a key, but it still ran and drove. Not sure how long it would have been able to do so, but it let me drive around a big parking lot for about five minutes no key.

Mercedes Streeter > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 10:12

Oof...I hope you're able to get this easily resolved and hopefully the thief sees justice. Makes me want to get myself a camera to overlook my parked vehicles.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > E90M3
08/11/2019 at 10:41

Lol

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > fintail
08/11/2019 at 12:01

I hope we get a replacement. It still has replacement cost on it and we'd get a 2020

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Chariotoflove
08/11/2019 at 17:10

Doubtful

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/11/2019 at 17:10

Can't get the manual cx3 in that trim!

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Benjamin the Canadian
08/11/2019 at 17:11

Thanks! At this point, it’d be best if they torched it. I don't want a previously stolen car back

Captain of the Enterprise > His Stigness
08/11/2019 at 17:20

Faraday bag?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 17:33

Hey, jokes aside I’m really sorry this happened. I hope insurance comes through.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
08/11/2019 at 17:36

Thanks. It’s a bummer, it was my wife’s first car and we were both proud of it. It's just property, insurance is good!

His Stigness > Captain of the Enterprise
08/11/2019 at 17:52

More accurately it's a Faraday shield. I use pouches that are lined with a material that blocks all signals so you can't pick up my key signal and steal the car.

fintail > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 20:22

I hope you do, too. I’d be constantly leery if my car was recovered and I got it back, who knows what they did to it.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > fintail
08/11/2019 at 20:43

Its been 36 hours, so who knows

fintail > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 20:48

It’s on a crime spree somewhere/in a chop shop/in a shipping container.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > fintail
08/11/2019 at 20:49

Think so? I have a horrible feeling it's in a Walmart parking lot or something. Lots of stolen cars just get left somewhere and are only called in when they are eventually towed

fintail > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/11/2019 at 20:50

I figured those who’d go to lengths to clone a keyless system would have more in mind than a joyride - they can crack open any 90s GM or Honda for that.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > fintail
08/11/2019 at 21:00

That’s what I was thinking too

Captain of the Enterprise > His Stigness
08/11/2019 at 21:25

Good idea, I’ve never had keyless and didn’t know about these problems and solutions.

Chariotoflove > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 01:10

Still, guy will slip up and get caught. People like that aren’t too smart. Clever maybe, but not smart.

M.T. Blake > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 10:21

How’d they get the key?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > M.T. Blake
08/12/2019 at 10:28

They didn't

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's
08/12/2019 at 10:40

Most of them, once started, will continue to operate without the key present. They will complain, throw warnings, beep at you, etc, but until the engine is turned off most will continue to operate otherwise normally. Our 2019 Kona has Hyundai’s BlueLink system, it will also continue to run without the key present, but it will send a text message saying that it’s doing so. The system does not allow (user level access to) remote shutdown, but it WILL provide GPS location updates when running without the key. When the key is present, or the vehicle is off it will only allow you know it’s location if you are less than a kilometer away from it. I’m sure some of the fancier boosters have the ability to clone the code and spoof the key, but they don’t necessarily don’t have to.

benn454 > bob and john
08/12/2019 at 10:52

Because pulling something out of your pocket is SO HARD, YOU GUYS.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 11:02

Yup... the “security” of keyless entry...

bob and john > benn454
08/12/2019 at 11:06

you know, i used to think the same way.

Once we got a car with keyless entry, its one of those small things that you dont realize how much of a difference it makes. I can put shit loads of crap on my keychain with out worring about fucking the tumbler, I dont have to put my groceries down to fumble with the key.

Its seems really stupid. But its like having memory po w er seats. its seems really stupid, until you get a car with it and you can just hit the button and it always goes to your setting.

benjrblant > M.T. Blake
08/12/2019 at 11:09

The key was probably spoofed using a repeater to amplify the signal. This tricks the car into thinking the key is present when it’s actually out of range.

M.T. Blake > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 11:10

Where did you buy the car from?

TysMagic > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 11:12

First, damn that sucks! I’m sorry that happened and hopefully there is a good ending to this - new car preferably over returned stolen and beaten car.

Second, m aybe “ easy” isn’t the right word, but it’s really that quick with the right technology to just roll off in someone else’s car?! That seemed so simple.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > M.T. Blake
08/12/2019 at 11:17

A dealer nearly 2 years ago

M.T. Blake > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 11:18

Any outstanding keys? You received two from the dealer? Bought it new? Ever lost one?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > M.T. Blake
08/12/2019 at 11:20

Nope

benn454 > bob and john
08/12/2019 at 11:24

I drive an ‘02 with a key and a ‘17 without. I have no problems with groceries with either. I unlock and start the ‘02 with the fob as I walk out the store, unload everything, then put the key in the ignition when I get in the driver’s seat.

It might help that I don't wear skinny jeans, I dunno. Have you considered using a caribeener to clip to your belt loop?

Ram_Riot_6 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 11:27

Well that’s one way to ruin a weekend. Hopefully it is never found as I’d never trust a vehicle that was stolen again.

functionoverfashion > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 11:28

Ugh, duuuude this sucks. Looks like they tried the Subaru (?) first? I agree, I hope you can just get a new one.

bob and john > benn454
08/12/2019 at 11:31

you laugh. But usually I have a key for the bikes. And I dont recall if I have ever had skinny jeans.

only time I use the car is really in rain and winter (and yea, then it is REALLY nice to not have to de-glove to pull it out/fight with the key)

Bylan - Hoarder of LS400's > JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t
08/12/2019 at 12:12

This is just ridiculous. All this lack of security just so we dont have to remove a key from our pocket and stick it in a hole. The price of convenience is apparently 1 Mazda CX-3 and hours of phone calls with police and insurance. Old cars used to be easy to steal, now the shiny new ones are easy enough for anyone with a laptop to steal.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > functionoverfashion
08/12/2019 at 12:29

Yeah my neighbors WRX

nerd_racing > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 12:48

This is crazy, the fobs for my 2014 CX5 barely work at 3-5 ft.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 12:56

That camera placement isn’t too optimal it seems. Is it inside a carport? Or from within your garage?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman
08/12/2019 at 13:08

Truth be told, it's to protect my Fiesta first and foremost

benn454 > bob and john
08/12/2019 at 13:37

I cheat in the winter. I hit the remote start and unlock the doors, then make a mad dash across the driveway once it's warmed up.

mazda616 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/12/2019 at 17:04

Damn! That sucks. We have two Mazdas (a 2013 CX-5 and a 2016 6). I’m glad I have an attached garage to keep them in. Crazy how easily he just unlocked it and took off.

OmerCarrothers333 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/13/2019 at 00:33

man, that sucks. i’m really sorry.

someoneatacura > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/13/2019 at 01:21

Time to remove your fiesta steering wheel...... and tires........ and engine.

RPM esq. > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/13/2019 at 01:23

100% booster/repeater method. Which means—since it can’t be started again without being in your driveway—it’s going to be found in a few days empty of gas but full of needles and price tags from shoplifted goods in a suburban gas station parking lot.

Steve in Manhattan > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/13/2019 at 01:25

Replace with a CX-5 if it’s gone for good? But seriously - dealing with that shit sucks. Cops and insurance companies - how badly do you want to avoid them?

SiennaMan > fintail
08/13/2019 at 01:26

The problem is with one of those repeater/signal booster devices a push button start car is easier to steal than an early 00s or even a 90s car.. there needs to be better security designed into the system.

SiennaMan > Captain of the Enterprise
08/13/2019 at 01:29

Something with a conductive layer that blocks wireless signals.. like when you go into a building with metal studs and your cell signal goes from 4 bars to roaming. Sample principal, just on a smaller scale.

Oppenheimer - not missing my shitboxes anymore > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/13/2019 at 05:49

That’s really sad, COFL.

I’m just puzzled how they simply unlocked the car and drove off. I know that with some keyless cars they recomend you to put the keys inside a signal blocker or something like that.

fintail > SiennaMan
08/13/2019 at 09:33

No doubt there’s some negligent design at play. At the very least the cars should carry a warning.

Victorinoo > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
08/14/2019 at 10:27

How many days of video do you have recorded? Play back your videos and look to see if there is a car that appears frequently at odd hours during the day. It will be a time consuming task, but clearly they knew where to find the car so they must have been keeping an eye on it. Ask your neighbors for videos as well.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Victorinoo
08/14/2019 at 10:34

I have one car that I thought was odd (I’m an adjuster) but meh, who knows.

Nobody else has video