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<p>In recent months, law enforcement corporations throughout the U.S. have been receiving reports regarding vehicle thefts using a “mysterious device.”</p>
<p>“The mystery device named Relay Attack works through a modem that hacks, or copies, the signal and code emitted by a vehicle’s keyless entry remote, allowing thieves to use the device to open doors and start the vehicles,” said Roger Morris, NCIB Chief Communications Officer.</p>
<p>When a driver exits their vehicle, and locks it with a remote device, the thief uses the Relay Attack device from a few feet away to capture the code emitted by the driver’s remote to the vehicle. The code is then relayed to a secondary box that is placed beside the handle, tricking the car’s network into thinking it is receiving the original signal, thus unlocking the door.</p>
<p>The NCIB tested 35 different cars, minivans, SUVs and pick-up trucks and were able to open 19 of those vehicles using the Relay Attack unit.</p>
<p>This device works only on newer vehicles that have a keyless remote and a push-button start.</p>
<p>NCIB investigators found that, in most cases, the crime was perpetrated by at least two people, one to operate the device and the other to serve as a lookout. The Bureau released a series of videos, sent in by different businesses, with security camera footage showing how these thieves work.</p>
<p>Despite its effectiveness, this method is not widespread in use as it has a high barrier of entry; these devices can only be bought online, mostly from European sellers, and cost anywhere from $2,000 to $60,000. As a result, authorities warn that this makes thieves with the device them even more dangerous, given that once thieves invest in the device will go to greater lengths to recover their investment.</p>
<p>The NCIB obtained a Relay Attack unit from an unidentified company, allegedly from Europe, prior to announcing the unmasking of the “mystery device.” The NCIB describes the Relay attack as a “low-power threat evaluation unit aimed at testing cars’ vulnerability to thieves.”</p>