Take care in blanchardstown centre

DublinDilbert

If anyone is shopping in blanchardstown over the next few weeks be very careful. There was some one using a signal blocker there last Sunday, preventing cars from locking. So double check your car is locked when you park up.

Also if you get back to your car and it won't open don't take assistance from anyone who happens to be near by.

Can you elaborate?
How did you find out about it?

amdublin

DublinDilbert wrote: »

If anyone is shopping in blanchardstown over the next few weeks be very careful. There was some one using a signal blocker there last Sunday, preventing cars from locking. So double check your car is locked when you park up.

Also if you get back to your car and it won't open don't take assistance from anyone who happens to be near by.

Do you have evidence of this?
Is this in one carpark only?
Has this been reported to the towncentre security? What are they doing about it?



Has this been reported to the guards? What are they doing about it?


What does the second bolded line mean? Did something happen you?

VeVeX

amdublin wrote: »

Do you have evidence of this?
Is this in one carpark only?
Has this been reported to the towncentre security? What are they doing about it?



Has this been reported to the guards? What are they doing about it?


What does the second bolded line mean? Did something happen you?

Its perfectly clear what the bolded line insinuates.

If everyone who posts on boards had to satisfy a similar line of questioning relevant to their comment there would be no posts at all.

I didn't think detailed evidence and post issue investigation was a prerequisite to posting an experience comment or opinion.

The Garda or Security are highly unlikely to give updates on any investigation.

AlanG

Aside from this every year there a a lot of cases of people getting their cars robbed after they have dropped back some of their shopping. Best to keep anything expensive until the end or move the car if you need to drop things off.

amdublin

VeVeX wrote: »

Its perfectly clear what the bolded line insinuates.

If everyone who posts on boards had to satisfy a similar line of questioning relevant to their comment there would be no posts at all.

I didn't think detailed evidence and post issue investigation was a prerequisite to posting an experience comment or opinion.

The Garda or Security are highly unlikely to give updates on any investigation.

First of all the car won't lock and then in the bolded line it won't open

I'd assume if this was happening we would hear about it in the media.

I think the original post is really unhelpful. Without more substantive information it is just scaremongering and Chinese whispers.

Insect Overlord

This sounds like the kind of scaremongering urban legend my naive cousin would share on Facebook, "just in case". The same kind of story as the lads offering free samples of perfume (but they're really spraying chloroform) or the criminals who leave blue paint on the wall to mark a house they want to break into.

my friend

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Happy Christmas!

leinster93

An File wrote: »

This sounds like the kind of scaremongering urban legend my naive cousin would share on Facebook, "just in case". The same kind of story as the lads offering free samples of perfume (but they're really spraying chloroform) or the criminals who leave blue paint on the wall to mark a house they want to break into.

Not entirely true based on the Guardian write up.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/may/26/high-tech-thieves-jamming-technology-steal-car

athtrasna

I recall an article from last week/end about a guy being arrested as part of operation Thor after he was found with a signal blocker in his car. People thought it was to block GSM monitored alarms? Think it was mentioned in the neighbourhood watch thread?

Toto Wolfcastle

An File wrote: »

This sounds like the kind of scaremongering urban legend my naive cousin would share on Facebook, "just in case". The same kind of story as the lads offering free samples of perfume (but they're really spraying chloroform) or the criminals who leave blue paint on the wall to mark a house they want to break into.

In fairness, I thought the mark on the wall of the house thing was a myth too until it happened to my in-laws recently.

January

I'd be careful too the number of numpties that have no idea how to use a roundabout at the centre is staggering. There was a crash on the at the crowne plaza a few minutes ago and another one nearly happened when an eejit pulled out onto the roundabout while we were already on it.

listermint

Hi All,


This is not a myth, These devices have been around years. They are no cheaper and smaller however and can be purchased online for next to nothing.

I myself caught some guys in a car in the city centre some years ago. It seems to be prevelant around christmas time where people tend to load presents in the boot.

The purpose of this device is to block your Radio remote from telling your car to lock, it jams the signal.

So for example if you go back to the car throw a load of presents in the boot to go off and continue shopping the User would press and hold the jammer and your car does not lock. You think its locked and walk off.


I copped this because i did not hear the door click. when i pressed it. (im very sensitive about that stuff it was a nice car at the time) so pressed it again. stood around looked at an audi behind me with 2 burly fellas in it. and they were eyeing me. So i pressed it one more time and it locked.

These lads were clearly not from here, That is not to say home grown criminals arent in on the act.

But suffice to say make sure you doors and boot are locked before you walk off.

Its better to be vigilant than a victim. And no its not an urban myth so dont dismiss it as such.




Good day, safe christmas.

OldMrBrennan83

This post has been deleted.

An File

An File wrote: »

This sounds like the kind of scaremongering urban legend my naive cousin would share on Facebook, "just in case".

Yup, my thoughts exactly. Like the baby on the motorway you stop to check on. haha.

DublinDilbert

amdublin wrote: »

Do you have evidence of this?
Is this in one carpark only?
Has this been reported to the towncentre security? What are they doing about it?



Has this been reported to the guards? What are they doing about it?


What does the second bolded line mean? Did something happen you?

Yes I have evidence of what happened and it has been passed over to AGS, who were quite interested.

No point going to the town center security as they just cover a few of the car parks.

DublinDilbert

An File wrote: »

This sounds like the kind of scaremongering urban legend my naive cousin would share on Facebook, "just in case". The same kind of story as the lads offering free samples of perfume (but they're really spraying chloroform) or the criminals who leave blue paint on the wall to mark a house they want to break into.

I wouldn't of bothered posting if I hadn't experienced it first hand. Plenty of posters on here would know me. In addition to that I'm an engineer with a huge amount of experience designing key-less entry systems for vehicles, for the likes of BMW, Volvo etc, so do know what I'm talking about.

I'd rather put out a warning here and not have someones Christmas ruined by these guys.

DublinDilbert

amdublin wrote: »

First of all the car won't lock and then in the bolded line it won't open

I'd assume if this was happening we would hear about it in the media.

I think the original post is really unhelpful. Without more substantive information it is just scaremongering and Chinese whispers.

Yes the RF jammer can be deployed in two different ways:-

1. Prevent vehicles from locking, wait till person walks off.
2. Prevent vehicles from opening, then offering assistance such as towing etc...

There is limited information that can be put into the public domain if there's an active AGS investigation.

What sort of proof would you prefer? Or would it be best if people were just vigilant and don't become a target?

FortySeven

DublinDilbert wrote: »

I wouldn't of bothered posting if I hadn't experienced it first hand. Plenty of posters on here would know me. In addition to that I'm an engineer with a huge amount of experience designing key-less entry systems for vehicles, for the likes of BMW, Volvo etc, so do know what I'm talking about.

I'd rather put out a warning here and not have someones Christmas ruined by these guys.

So perhaps you will share what bmw is doing about the key readers you can buy to code your own bmw keys?
Look folks. Op is right, these things happen but they happen once or twice before criminal gets caught of moves on to other grounds. It is petty theft and being a bit more vigilant when spending that bit extra over Christmas is always to be recommended. But don't take this kind of scaremongering as gospel. It is as likely to happen anywhere.

Tagging houses is not something I came across in my criminal career. Never heard of it during my years in prison, most crime is opportune as it is mostly committed by stupid people made stupider by drugs. There may be 1 or 2 commited gangs per town but chances s of being targetted are slim so go easy in life and don't fret due to these panicking ponces. Life's too short.

Ireland has very little crime. Don't believe the hype. If you want to know what you're up against, watch the joy. These idiots even tattoo their hands so you can see them coming. There is a reason they have to commit crimes.

AmboMan

There was several people on the Joe Duffy radio recently had become victims of there devices I think they are know as "Jammers"

FortySeven

AmboMan wrote: »

There was several people on the Joe Duffy radio recently had become victims of there devices I think they are know as "Jammers"

They exist. As do 'grabbers' which actually capture frequencies and key so the car can be opened after you locked it. Not sure how effective on new cars. I'm out of the game some time.
Still, the easiest and most common way will always be an escape hammer to smash the window or a screwdriver in the lock. Most criminals don't have any specialist equipment. There are 1 or 2 but it's rare.

Mankyspuds

Something similar happened to me in The Square about ten days ago, was walking away from the car and pressed the button, didn't hear the 'click' so walked back and tried it two more times while standing next to the car and nothing, so I ended up 'dead locking' using the key in the drivers door. Came back half hour later and the fob worked as normal from a distance of 10m away, thought it was nothing until I read this thread!

DublinDilbert

FortySeven wrote: »

So perhaps you will share what bmw is doing about the key readers you can buy to code your own bmw keys?

Completely off topic but yes i would be aware of the attacks over CAN on the CAS module on the E9x / F series cars, then allowing a key to be coded and sync'd to the vehicle. I haven't worked directly on this, but am doing some work on encrypted CAN bus, which would prevent this.

FortySeven wrote: »

Look folks. Op is right, these things happen but they happen once or twice before criminal gets caught of moves on to other grounds.

Its very hard to catch people using an Jammer as its invisible, just wait till the person walks off and go over and open the vehicle. Its extremely hard to catch these guys in the act.

FortySeven wrote: »

Ireland has very little crime. Don't believe the hype. If you want to know what you're up against, watch the joy. These idiots even tattoo their hands so you can see them coming. There is a reason they have to commit crimes.

Agreed.

FortySeven wrote: »

They exist. As do 'grabbers' which actually capture frequencies and key so the car can be opened after you locked it. Not sure how effective on new cars. I'm out of the game some time.
Still, the easiest and most common way will always be an escape hammer to smash the window or a screwdriver in the lock. Most criminals don't have any specialist equipment. There are 1 or 2 but it's rare.

Grabbers only worked before encrypted rolling codes were introduced, which would of been about 10-12 years ago now for the OEM level stuff. Most of the OEMs went with microchip keyloq algorithm, which I don't think has been broken. This is why jammers have been come more common, just prevent the car from locking, most people don't check especially if distracted with children etc..

KomradeBishop

Yes it's definitely a thing - and criminals have been caught importing these into Ireland:
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gangs-importing-jammers-to-disable-house-and-car-alarms-28943000.html

There are even 'code grabbers' that do in fact work - KeeLoq's protocol is vulnerable to replay attacks, so your RF signal can be captured, while separately jamming the car from receiving the signal, then sending the first signal through the second time you try to unlock the car - from what I read, the thieves can reuse the second signal to unlock the car:
http://www.wired.com/2015/08/hackers-tiny-device-unlocks-cars-opens-garages/

Just use the key in the door by habit, instead of using the RF key.

ThisRegard

Do people not wait to hear the clunk, as mentioned, or wait for the lights to flash when locking their car?

FortySeven

ThisRegard wrote: »

Do people not wait to hear the clunk, as mentioned, or wait for the lights to flash when locking their car?

I doubt it. I see handbags on passenger seats everyday in galway in parked cars. 10 years ago I would have stolen them and they would have a broken window. They would not do this in the UK too often. There is very little crime here.

Knine

KomradeBishop wrote: »

Yes it's definitely a thing - and criminals have been caught importing these into Ireland:
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/gangs-importing-jammers-to-disable-house-and-car-alarms-28943000.html

There are even 'code grabbers' that do in fact work - KeeLoq's protocol is vulnerable to replay attacks, so your RF signal can be captured, while separately jamming the car from receiving the signal, then sending the first signal through the second time you try to unlock the car - from what I read, the thieves can reuse the second signal to unlock the car:
http://www.wired.com/2015/08/hackers-tiny-device-unlocks-cars-opens-garages/

Just use the key in the door by habit, instead of using the RF key.

My car mirrors move in so I always double check.

I've a solution!
Don't assume your car is locked!

I always check the door handles after hearing the clunk!

Then I can't call myself a muppet if I left it unlocked.

Satriale

Deleted User wrote: »

Yup, my thoughts exactly. Like the baby on the motorway you stop to check on. haha.

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/boy-2-found-wandering-on-main-road-in-middle-of-night-30109088.html

It happens...

jeffk

January wrote:

I'd be careful too the number of numpties that have no idea how to use a roundabout at the centre is staggering. There was a crash on the at the crowne plaza a few minutes ago and another one nearly happened when an eejit pulled out onto the roundabout while we were already on it.

The traffic management doesn't help.

Come out of dunnes have to go left, so you have to use roundabout if you wanted to go right.

Come out of woodies etc, signaled to go into bus lane, end of bus lane, merge or keep going and bully your way in

dodzy

jeffk wrote: »

The traffic management doesn't help.

Come out of dunnes have to go left, so you have to use roundabout if you wanted to go right.

Come out of woodies etc, signaled to go into bus lane, end of bus lane, merge or keep going and bully your way in

Come out of Dunnes and forced left. Heat straight through the roundabout into the express bus lane and exit the centre !

Yeah

ThisRegard

jeffk wrote: »

The traffic management doesn't help.

It's ridiculous. I wonder if any sort of analysis has been done on it, I doubt it. I believe that if let flow naturally it would work better than what they're doing now. Over the Capatain America/hotel side it would be gridlocked, but once you get on the section between Currys and the Liberty building there's so much free space and freely flowing. The guy standing outside the gym often makes a balls of things too.

jeffk

ThisRegard wrote:

It's ridiculous. I wonder if any sort of analysis has been done on it, I doubt it. I believe that if let flow naturally it would work better than what they're doing now. Over the Capatain America/hotel side it would be gridlocked, but once you get on the section between Currys and the Liberty building there's so much free space and freely flowing. The guy standing outside the gym often makes a balls of things too.

Take out roundaboutssss

Put in lights

Set up set rules so x amount of cars get green for x amount of lights and repeat

ThisRegard

I don't think traffic lights are the solution, they'll just be a pain in the ass every other time of the year and day, adding undue delay.

beauf

ThisRegard wrote: »

It's ridiculous. I wonder if any sort of analysis has been done on it, I doubt it. I believe that if let flow naturally it would work better than what they're doing now. ...

+1

The flow in and out of the centre is all wrong. All the car parks exits/entrances are all on the same ring road. They should have some exiting directly out to N3 or the main roads beside them. Forcing all the traffic into a closed loop with roundabouts just clogs it all up. They should also some overflow carks to allow people to park/exit quickly but walk a bit further to the centre.

jeffk

ThisRegard wrote: »

I don't think traffic lights are the solution, they'll just be a pain in the ass every other time of the year and day, adding undue delay.

Speed cameras

Polo_Mint

Just to follow up on this it is not scaremongering. These devices are available over the internet.

Gangs who have these devices most commonly use them over Christmas

They are watching for people who are going back to the cars with their Christmas Shopping.

The most common people caught out are the people putting the shopping in the Booth and going back into the Shopping centers.

My boss had had booth emptied last year after he went back into Liffey valley.

ongarite

jeffk wrote: »

The traffic management doesn't help.

Come out of dunnes have to go left, so you have to use roundabout if you wanted to go right.

Come out of woodies etc, signaled to go into bus lane, end of bus lane, merge or keep going and bully your way in

Traffic management is a disaster. Can't believe it actually got council sign-off.
I can't think of any other large shopping centre where the main entrance road is also the exit from the largest car park in it.
The main entrance by ice rink is a mess this time of year. Cars exiting the TK Maxx car park are all filtered onto the road to try and get to the roundabout & exit the centre.
This entrance/exit should be entrance only IMO to free up backed up traffic

DvB

Bam Bam Mickey wrote: »

I've a solution!
Don't assume your car is locked!

I always check the door handles after hearing the clunk!

Then I can't call myself a muppet if I left it unlocked.

I thought I was the only one that still did this ... better to be safe than sorry though.

Satriale

Satriale wrote: »

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/boy-2-found-wandering-on-main-road-in-middle-of-night-30109088.html

It happens...

I was referring more to the baby on the motorway in it's baby seat, in the middle of the road, that you stop to check on, and then get robbed by the people who planted it there.

Dartz

This is why I'm glad my car has a mechanical lock on the boot and doors.

That, at least, requires some skill to **** with.

daymobrew

Last week I read about Why The Most Expensive Cars Are The Easiest To Steal.

I was at an area Neighbourhood Watch meeting at Blanch Garda Station recently. Inspector Tony Twomey (sp?) told us of a guy being arrested with a car lock jammer. Possession of certain things can get you arrested and prosecuted as they are likely to be used in a crime.

Dartz

Dartz wrote: »

This is why I'm glad my car has a mechanical lock on the boot and doors.

That, at least, requires some skill to **** with.

Same here!
Although I would say I wouldn't come out and put shopping in the boot of my car and go back in for more shopping for this exact reason!
Whenever I see people doing it, I always think if I were a criminal I'd be just given an invitation to check the boot.