Stolen Tesla Model S (found post 168 )

copeyhagen · 20-02-2020 11:20am #1

my 2015 model s 90d was stolen last Thursday at 1.47am

2 lads walked down my road with a laptop bag at 1.47, drove the car off at 1.52am.
i have the keys
wifes car was behind mine, but we dont have garden walls so they managed to squeeze it out through the grass.
presumably used software to boost the keyfob signal outside (both key fobs in bedroom with me)
pulled the sim card straqight out to remove any connectivity.
used a GPS blocker to block the signal
car had about 300km range left on the charge.
apparently, its the first model s to be stolen this way in ireland.. great.

do not think these cars cannot be stolen, if you dont use pin to drive, set it up now, i didnt have it as i naively believed a car with this much technology couldnt be stolen.

reg is 152d30285 though i imagine it was driven straight out of the Country.

pic attached.

Rob

Nedved85 · 20-02-2020 11:22am

Sorry to hear about that - Very frustrating

youcancallmeal · 20-02-2020 11:47am

Sorry to hear, very frustrating I'm sure. I'd also recommend one of these to keep your keyfobs in whenever you're home

_ned_ · 20-02-2020 1:01pm

Total bummer. I had 2 cars stolen in the past and it's a horrible feeling. Hope they catch the thieves.

Seen this from Electrek:

https://electrek.co/2019/08/22/tesla-stolen-keyfob-hack-camera-how-to-prevent-it/

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 20-02-2020 2:25pm

Thanks for the heads up, and sorry about the loss of your car, its happened to me and its super inconvenient and frustrating. I have enabled PIN to drive on your recommendation.

markpb · 20-02-2020 2:59pm

What happens these cars after they have been stolen? Presumably the next time the car stops, it will complain that the key is out of range and refuse to start again.

zg3409 · 20-02-2020 3:24pm

You say last Thursday so 7 days ago?
Where in the country roughly?
Have you a toll tag and did you check it's history to see if they went via a toll road?

markpb wrote: »

What happens these cars after they have been stolen? Presumably the next time the car stops, it will complain that the key is out of range and refuse to start again.

Typically they are stolen to order and put on the road in eastern Europe or other more dodgy countries.

In some cases they are shipped whole and stripped for parts like 10,000 for battery and front parts used to repair a crashed model. Even if they only get 1,000 parts value they are happy as car is free to them. Can Tesla flag all the electronics modules as stolen such as doors, sensors?, and if they see them on another car alert the police?

Really horrible act, I know a few were caught in the past doing this, some with tow trucks which won't be defeated with a PIN

Lumen · 20-02-2020 3:25pm

markpb wrote: »

What happens these cars after they have been stolen? Presumably the next time the car stops, it will complain that the key is out of range and refuse to start again.

Broken for parts, I'd guess. The computers are DRMd I think (so worthless) but the batteries are quite valuable.

copeyhagen · 20-02-2020 3:59pm

zg3409 wrote: »

You say last Thursday so 7 days ago?
Where in the country roughly?
Have you a toll tag and did you check it's history to see if they went via a toll road?
Really horrible act, I know a few were caught in the past doing this, some with tow trucks which won't be defeated with a PIN

yes 7 days ago, got up at 4am to go airport with wife and kids and that car was gone.
yeh toll tag was in car, checedk it and not tolls crossed. guards asked for that info straight away.

slave1 · 20-02-2020 4:10pm

Ah balls, hope the holiday went okay and it was not ruined

unkel · 20-02-2020 6:40pm

Sorry to hear. Major inconvenience, but the insurance will sort you out.

copeyhagen wrote: »

(both key fobs in bedroom with me)

Don't do that again. What do you think might have happened if they didn't get the car going with the software hack? It's well possible they would have been standing beside you and your sleeping family kindly asking for the keys...

imfml · 20-02-2020 6:44pm

Sorry to hear that OP. We keep our keys in these after simular happened in our estate. Detective told neighbours not to keep keys in the bedroom too. If anyone wants our cars that badly they'll find the keys at the top of the stairs and save us interacting with them

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B076KZF645?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

Mickeroo · 20-02-2020 8:06pm

unkel wrote: »

Sorry to hear. Major inconvenience, but the insurance will sort you out.

Don't do that again. What do you think might have happened if they didn't get the car going with the software hack? It's well possible they would have been standing beside you and your sleeping family kindly asking for the keys...

A lot more likely they'd have moved in to the next potential easy target tbh. Even so, I keep mine in the hall by the front door in an old biscuit tin.

AmberGold · 20-02-2020 8:48pm

Sorry to hear that OP, saw your post over on Facebook and living in Malahide myself it was a bit close to home for comfort. Been checking the Nest cam every morning since for scrotes walking around with aerials.

Could turn up yet, a neighbours car was taken (burglary & found keys while owners on holiday) and they got it back 3 months later. Was being driven around NI on false plates.

Re the other comments on storage of keys I’ve yet to hear of people who’ve been woken up for the keys BTW. According to a Garda I spoke to they’re not up for that as it’s a much more serious crime with a higher risk of getting caught. He tells me the guys that actually take the car get about a grand each for the job, and its not worth doing a lenghty stretch for this amount. It seems Tesla theft is a bit more specialised I suspect they’re not getting the usual skangers to do the job.

After reading your story last week I had a cursory glance on eBay for Tesla parts and sure enough the first thing I found was a full interior from a facelift S for sale in Lithuania. Amazing that there’s a market for this type of thing....

Dont be at yourself · 20-02-2020 9:41pm

Just stuck on Pin to Drive there on my M3P. Also living in North County Dublin, not going to take any chances if they’re in the area.

Rayne Wooney · 20-02-2020 9:50pm

Out of curiosity, could Tesla find the cars current location if they wanted to?

drunkmonkey · 20-02-2020 9:56pm

Can Tesla not locate it, surley it pings off something at some stage.

Atlantic Dawn · 20-02-2020 9:59pm

Will keep an eye out for it, lovely colour not seen that shade on one before, will stand out to me if I spot it.

JohnC. · 20-02-2020 10:09pm

Rayne Wooney wrote: »

Out of curiosity, could Tesla find the cars current location if they wanted to?

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Can Tesla not locate it, surley it pings off something at some stage.

He said they removed the SIM. Would it have any other way of being in contact?

Atlantic Dawn · 20-02-2020 10:10pm

JohnC. wrote: »

He said they removed the SIM. Would it have any other way of being in contact?

Possibly some tracking or record if they were connected to Tesla charging infrastructure. I heard they are able to disable charging of cars which were not repaired within the Tesla approved network so some verification must be done on each car connecting up to charge.

ethernet · 20-02-2020 10:25pm

Sorry to hear that, OP. Hope it’s not too painful getting you back up and running.

Had a solo scumbag with a backpack trying to steal mine recently but he moved on once he couldn’t unlock it (disabled keyless entry) and stole another around the corner.

Lekrub · 20-02-2020 10:33pm

These are high tec scumbags. How does someone make money from this? Surely 2nd hand market for batteries is pretty low.

Atlantic Dawn · 20-02-2020 10:37pm

Lekrub wrote: »

These are high tec scumbags. How does someone make money from this? Surely 2nd hand market for batteries is pretty low.

The law needs to come down on car crime hard, they were able to recently introduce fines of up to €3million and/or 5 years in jail for putting the wrong shower gel down your drain...

The Microbeads Act also makes it an offence to dispose of any substance containing microbeads by pouring it down the drain or into marine or freshwater environments.

A person convicted of an offence under the Act could receive a fine and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.

Conviction on indictment (after being tried before a judge and jury) may mean a fine of up to €3,000,000 and/ or a prison sentence of up to five years.

https://www.thejournal.ie/microbeads-law-ireland-5015080-Feb2020/

JohnC. · 20-02-2020 10:46pm

Lekrub wrote: »

These are high tec scumbags. How does someone make money from this? Surely 2nd hand market for batteries is pretty low.

Lots of people use second hand batteries, either for energy storage or converting classic cars (and maybe even some not so classic) to electric. Tesla batteries seem especially popular for these purposes.

bk · 20-02-2020 11:44pm

unkel wrote: »

Don't do that again. What do you think might have happened if they didn't get the car going with the software hack? It's well possible they would have been standing beside you and your sleeping family kindly asking for the keys...

I disagree. What if you activate PIN to drive? A fella standing beside your bed, with a knife to your throat, asking for your PIN?

Of course if you are going there, that can happen to anyone, break in and make the victim give you their credit/debit cards and PIN. Probably get more money that way then a scrapped Tesla.

But as others have said, that is a vastly more serious and dangerous crime, with higher risks, vastly more Garda attention and much longer jail time if caught.

Of course, I'd assume anyone who can afford a Tesla, also has a decent Home Security system, ideally monitored and actually used when home. Someone trying to break in should be setting off your home alarm system and you calling the Gardai. No guarantees of course, but most won't stick around with a blaring alarm and screaming family.

There are also other steps a person can take to make it more difficult to physically break in, via better doors, windows, locks, etc. if you are really worried about that.

AmberGold · 20-02-2020 11:59pm

Last year I read Tesla changed the signal time / range to prevent key fob relay attacks, back to the drawing board on this one.

Also it seems Tesla have the lowest amount of cars stolen per manufacturer, a report in 2019 stated of 115 stolen in US 112 had been recovered. Obviously at this point they hadn't found how to rip out the SIM.

L1011 · 21-02-2020 12:07am

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

Possibly some tracking or record if they were connected to Tesla charging infrastructure. I heard they are able to disable charging of cars which were not repaired within the Tesla approved network so some verification must be done on each car connecting up to charge.

If a car is going to be broken for parts, it won't turn up on any charging infrastructure.

I don't think softSIMs/eSIMs are supported by any network in Ireland yet but this may be required if physical SIM removal is becoming a thing - for any and all tracking systems.

bk · 21-02-2020 12:21am

L1011 wrote: »

I don't think softSIMs/eSIMs are supported by any network in Ireland yet but this may be required if physical SIM removal is becoming a thing - for any and all tracking systems.

Unfortunately GSM jammers exist and aren't difficult to get.

LeBash · 21-02-2020 7:33am

High end cars are a big target. If someone robs a bank they might get 20-30k and if they get caught its 10-12 years.

Stealing any high end car can net them similar money but they will perhaps get 6 months regardless of entering the house or not. Plus it's easier to get away with and repeat.

BKtje · 21-02-2020 9:17am

AmberGold wrote: »

Also it seems Tesla have the lowest amount of cars stolen per manufacturer, a report in 2019 stated of 115 stolen in US 112 had been recovered. Obviously at this point they hadn't found how to rip out the SIM.

Is there any reason why they don't use an e-sim?

ThreadWatcher · 21-02-2020 9:27am

[

BKtje wrote: »

Is there any reason why they don't use an e-sim?

Is there any reason why you can't read the thread?

L1011 wrote: »

I don't think softSIMs/eSIMs are supported by any network in Ireland yet but this may be required if physical SIM removal is becoming a thing - for any and all tracking systems.

BobbyBingo · 21-02-2020 10:04am

copeyhagen wrote: »

pulled the sim card straqight out to remove any connectivity.
used a GPS blocker to block the signal
Rob

Ah man that's bloody awful - and you only have it a couple of months I think. First one I've heard of in Ireland being taken. The SIM Card is buried I understand deep in the dash - could they just have disabled Data Sharing on the screen ? If so, then surely Tesla must be able to ping it in some way ? Mind you, I'm sure you've covered all bases at this stage. Will certainly keep an eye out for it on on my travels.

BKtje · 21-02-2020 10:17am

ThreadWatcher wrote: »

[

Is there any reason why you can't read the thread?

Ha wow. Someone got up on the wrong side of the bed.

In fairness though i did miss that it was already covered. My question then would be why do they not exist in Ireland but that would be for another thread.

Irish_peppa · 21-02-2020 10:26am

Curious do Reported Stolen Plates pop up on Garda NPRS systems, like out of date Road tax? If not why not?

Nedved85 · 21-02-2020 10:29am

Whilst not trying to sidetrack the thread, there is a Leaf owner in my estate with a very small aerial on top of the car. Is this a jammer of some sort possibly?

btkm8unsl0w5r4 · 21-02-2020 11:27am

bk wrote: »

I disagree. What if you activate PIN to drive? A fella standing beside your bed, with a knife to your throat, asking for your PIN?

Of course if you are going there, that can happen to anyone, break in and make the victim give you their credit/debit cards and PIN. Probably get more money that way then a scrapped Tesla.

But as others have said, that is a vastly more serious and dangerous crime, with higher risks, vastly more Garda attention and much longer jail time if caught.

Of course, I'd assume anyone who can afford a Tesla, also has a decent Home Security system, ideally monitored and actually used when home. Someone trying to break in should be setting off your home alarm system and you calling the Gardai. No guarantees of course, but most won't stick around with a blaring alarm and screaming family.

There are also other steps a person can take to make it more difficult to physically break in, via better doors, windows, locks, etc. if you are really worried about that.

Agreed, if you house is secure the bugglers have to trip your alarm and then upscale their crimes to assault. These high tech crims know not to bring that sort of heat on themselves, their entire mode of operation is easy risk free crime.

Zenith74 · 21-02-2020 11:43am

Dont be at yourself wrote: »

Just stuck on Pin to Drive there on my M3P. Also living in North County Dublin, not going to take any chances if they’re in the area.

Sticking the keys in an old biscuit/sweet tin near the front door is much better approach if you ask me. With PIN-to-drive they'll already be in your car before they realise they cannot drive it, why let them get that far? With the keys in a tin when they try their signal booster/repeater they'll realise quickly it isn't working and just move on to the next car. If they do decide to break into the house because they really want the car, they'll find the keys at the door instead of coming looking for them or asking nicely for the PIN.

Cheap fix and having done it the last few months, it's actually dead handy to always know where the keys for the cars are, particularly the wife's which otherwise would be buried in a handbag or coat somewhere

bk · 21-02-2020 12:01pm

Nedved85 wrote: »

Whilst not trying to sidetrack the thread, there is a Leaf owner in my estate with a very small aerial on top of the car. Is this a jammer of some sort possibly?

Unlikely, probably just to boost the radio or phone.

Jammers usually involve half a dozen aerials on the device and are usually portable.

unkel · 21-02-2020 12:04pm

Zenith74 wrote: »

it's actually dead handy to always know where the keys for the cars are, particularly the wife's which otherwise would be buried in a handbag or coat somewhere

How can having a box in the hall guarantee that the wife's keys will be kept in there?

peposhi · 21-02-2020 12:06pm

unkel wrote: »

How can having a box in the hall guarantee that the wife's keys will be kept in there?

My OHs keys will defo be there... there’s less than 1% chance that my keys are in the box. I have forgotten them in the car a couple of time!!!

bk · 21-02-2020 12:20pm

LeBash wrote: »

High end cars are a big target. If someone robs a bank they might get 20-30k and if they get caught its 10-12 years.

Stealing any high end car can net them similar money but they will perhaps get 6 months regardless of entering the house or not. Plus it's easier to get away with and repeat.

Not a Tesla, since it needs to be parted out as otherwise it would be deactivated. The folks actually doing the stealing are only getting a few low k for this at best.

Breaking into a house adds 'breaking and entry" to the charges and potentially assault and battery.

Aggravated Burglary and robbery (theft with violence) will get you 6 to 15 years here in Ireland: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/crime-and-law/appeal-judges-set-down-sentencing-guidelines-for-burglary-and-robbery-1.3479375

While I've seen people get just 5 years for operating ATM skimming operations that netted tens of thousands here in Ireland.

The point is, these people want quick, easy and low risk. Most people with high end cars, also have decent home security systems and CCTV, etc. Most don't want to mess with that. These sort of cars are attractive targets because on the one hand they are expensive, but on the other hand the keyless entry systems are so easy to overcome with very little risk.

s8n · 21-02-2020 12:44pm

I'm sorry to hear OP.

I have activated pin to drive (as much as a pain in the a55, it it)

Nedved85 · 21-02-2020 12:47pm

A bit of a pain but is a steering wheel lock be a good deterrent these days for any would be car thief's?

endacl · 21-02-2020 12:51pm

Nedved85 wrote: »

A bit of a pain but is a steering wheel lock be a good deterrent these days for any would be car thief's?

Only one without access to a hacksaw.

ethernet · 21-02-2020 12:53pm

Nedved85 wrote: »

A bit of a pain but is a steering wheel lock be a good deterrent these days for any would be car thief's?

If they really want it, then no. For the casual thief, it may be enough of a deterrent.

EDIT: endacl beat me to it!

krissovo · 21-02-2020 12:58pm

I have had an old iphone hard wired and hidden in all my cars for the last 5 years, they are part of a family phone contract and does not add that much cost. I originally put them in there so I could find my car in airport carparks (first world problem i know) but it did help recover one of my old cars that was stolen in Dublin and transported to the north.

I assume this new technology of GPS blockers will kill that solution or can I track using sim triangulation?

ted1 · 21-02-2020 1:06pm

krissovo wrote: »

I have had an old iphone hard wired and hidden in all my cars for the last 5 years, they are part of a family phone contract and does not add that much cost. I originally put them in there so I could find my car in airport carparks (first world problem i know) but it did help recover one of my old cars that was stolen in Dublin and transported to the north.

I assume this new technology of GPS blockers will kill that solution or can I track using sim triangulation?

One of these : https://m-uk.gearbest.com/personal-protective-equipment/pp_639278.html

3 euro a month with a V Sim from Vodafone. Would they keep GSM blocker in after removing the Tesla one ?

bk · 21-02-2020 1:41pm

krissovo wrote: »

I assume this new technology of GPS blockers will kill that solution or can I track using sim triangulation?

Jammers can block both the GSM and GPS signal. Actually GSM blocking is more common. So no, if someone is to use these, then you won't hear anything from the phone.

Having said that continue to do what you are doing. Jammers aren't that common, so still worth doing.

BTW, of course using jamming devices like this is illegal in Ireland. Just in case anyone was thinking of playing with this sort of tech.

bk · 21-02-2020 1:42pm

ted1 wrote: »

3 euro a month with a V Sim from Vodafone. Would they keep GSM blocker in after removing the Tesla one ?

Perhaps not, good idea.

Varik · 21-02-2020 1:59pm

You'd think a car like the tesla or anything with so many smart features could distinguish between a 0 signal in a valley/mountain/wherever and 100 signal but 0 connection due to to the jammer bombarding the spectrum and just not start or set the alarm off.

zg3409 · 21-02-2020 2:19pm

Varik wrote: »

You'd think a car like the tesla or anything with so many smart features could distinguish between a 0 signal in a valley/mountain/wherever and 100 signal but 0 connection due to to the jammer bombarding the spectrum and just not start or set the alarm off.

Firstly they can lift/tow the car old school, secondly they can rip out the GPS and phone based equipment, they could put foil over the GPS antenna, how is it to know with no location if it is in a tunnel or underground car park?

As for non manufacturer installed tracking, beware they may disconnect the 12v battery within minutes and put it on a tow truck or hidden in the back of a rigid lorry. Most half decent trackers need a sim card and typically need to be topped up at least every 6 months. A jammer will block these while jammer is on and near. There is cases of cars ringing home from Africa but from a lawless area. There are other really expensive trackers that use non sim card systems but these are normally reserved for high value targets such as supercars and often targeted company alarms such as white goods electrical shops.

Some of these groups have been arrested and prosecuted, but while there is quick money to be made they will find a way.

There is talk that the model 3 is less vulnerable to the signal relay attack but I would like to see that proven before I believe it.

Stolen Tesla Model S (found post 168 )

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