Toronto man uses AirTags to track stolen SUV to Dubai [video]
A Toronto man used Apple AirTags to trace his stolen SUV from a local rail yard all the way to Dubai, only to find that police and rail authorities repeatedly declined to intervene. Commenters highlight how organized theft rings quickly export vehicles in containers, exploiting jurisdictional gaps, private railway police, and limited customs checks on outbound cargo. Many see the case as emblematic of a wider surge in auto theft across Canada, where insurers pass costs to consumers and law enforcement appears either overwhelmed or unwilling to prioritize property recovery.
Export and Reuse of Vehicles (Legit and Stolen)
- Used vehicles from North America often end up in the Middle East, whether sold legitimately or stolen.
- One cited case: a Texas plumber’s truck, sold with company branding still on it, later appeared in Syria used by militants.
- A Dubai resident in the thread is shocked to learn many “imported” cars may be stolen.
Branding, Liability, and the Plumber Lawsuit
- Debate over responsibility for removing commercial decals before sale.
- Some argue sellers should remove branding themselves if they care about misuse.
- Others counter that if a dealership explicitly promises to remove decals and doesn’t, legal recourse (lawsuit/settlement) is reasonable.
Effectiveness and Limits of AirTags
- AirTags helped track the stolen SUV’s journey but did not lead to recovery, fueling frustration with police inaction.
- Some expected “sophisticated” thieves to scan for trackers; others argue thieves don’t bother since recovery/enforcement is rare.
- Question raised about Apple’s anti-stalking alerts; consensus is thieves probably aren’t near the car long enough for alerts to matter.
Railways, Jurisdiction, and Private Police
- Major criticism that Canadian Pacific and its rail police did not intervene even after being given container details.
- Confusion and anger over “no jurisdiction” responses when the car’s location was known.
- Discussion of railway police as quasi-federal officers with historical roots; some see conflict of interest and call private policing problematic.
Car Theft in Canada and Institutional Apathy
- Many describe Canadian car theft, especially around Toronto/Montreal, as rampant and organized.
- Hotels provide steering locks; people install kill switches on late-model SUVs.
- Strong belief that police, customs, and insurers treat it as low priority; suggestions of corruption or at least systemic indifference.
- Costs are seen as socialized through higher insurance premiums.
Anti-Theft Ideas and Car Design Critique
- Suggestions: smell-based deterrents (fart spray), ink bombs, better immobilizers, certificate-based keys, physical keys plus digital factors.
- Concerns about false positives destroying cars or punishing owners.
- Relay attacks and OBD2 “all keys lost” programming are cited as current theft methods; modern keyless systems are criticized as less secure than old mechanical keys.
Insurance and Coverage
- Clarification that mandatory insurance in Canada is liability; theft requires comprehensive coverage.
- Some note that insurers may have weak incentive to push hard on theft if they can simply raise premiums.