Stolen vehicles are often cut in half, with only the more valuable front section making the trip for its engine and electronics. It's been revealed thieves use easily-purchased, cheap on-board diagnostic (OBD) devices to activate stolen vehicles and whisk them away. Auto trade sources told the Herald Sun the stolen car shipments are rarely intercepted by border control officials, whose focus is searching freight for drugs, tobacco and weapons. Damning statistics reveal 20 per cent of Victoria's stolen cars are never recovered. Authorities regard Dubai as a hub for stolen vehicles with cars coming into the location from all over the world.

Source: Daily Mail February 23, 2026 12:00 UTC