Gang Uses Fake Key Swap, GPS to Steal Luxury Car
Thai police arrested a 42-year-old man linked to a gang that stole luxury cars by posing as buyers, swapping keys during test drives, and fitting GPS trackers to locate the vehicles later. The suspect allegedly received stolen cars and changed their license plates. Officers also seized methamphetamine and ammunition during the raid.
Police have dismantled a gang that tricked luxury car sellers by posing as buyers, requesting test drives, then secretly swapping keys and installing GPS trackers before returning to steal the vehicles. They arrested a suspect tasked with receiving the stolen car and changing its license plates to conceal it.
On November 2, 2026, Pol. Maj. Gen. Samart Promchat, Chief of Investigation Division 9, along with Pol. Col. Thirachai Detkhat, Pol. Col. Wutthichai Thaiwat, Pol. Col. Thitipong Siya, Pol. Col. Wichayanat Ektaasang, and Tha Kham Station officers, acted on a report from Pol. Lt. Col. Thanakorn Janrod and Pol. Lt. Col. Bancha Piyaphatsakun to apprehend Mr. Natthasit (surname withheld), 42, who had an arrest warrant from Thonburi Criminal Court for nighttime theft using a vehicle.
The victim, a 44-year-old, reported that his black Mercedes-Benz E250 CGI Saloon with a Bangkok plate was stolen from a luxury housing estate in Soi Anamai Ngam Charoen 25, Yak 2, Tha Kham Subdistrict, Bang Khun Thian District.
Investigators reviewed CCTV footage and traced the car to the Muang Thong Thani area in Nonthaburi, where its plates had been swapped. They later seized the vehicle at the Tha Phun Police Station parking lot on Bangkok-Nonthaburi Road in Bang Sue District, Bangkok, and searched the suspect's room, recovering 43 items including documents and car parts.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Samart revealed the gang planned the theft in advance, locating the victim's online sales advertisement, contacting him to view the car, asking to inspect two keys, swapping them, and covertly attaching a GPS device. They later used the duplicate key to steal the car. The operation was divided into three roles: the person who contacted the seller and swapped the keys with the GPS, the thief who drove the car away, and the receiver who took possession of the vehicle and changed the plates — the role played by Mr. Natthasit — before passing it to others in the network.
A search of the suspect's room also uncovered three packets of ice methamphetamine weighing 1.92 grams, 16 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three rounds of .45 ammunition, and a black shoulder bag. Authorities charged him with four offenses: nighttime theft using a vehicle, possession of Category 1 narcotics (ice), use of Category 1 narcotics, and illegal possession of ammunition. He was handed over to Tha Kham Police investigators for further legal proceedings.
