Overview
- Seven men from Brazil, Fiji, Japan and Afghanistan face 380 charges over an alleged Brisbane car‑theft syndicate and remain in custody ahead of court dates this month.
- Police allege about 60 LandCruisers and Prados were taken between October 20 and December 1, with whole vehicles packed into containers for shipment to the United Arab Emirates.
- Fifteen vehicles were recovered from a Rocklea wrecking yard, the Port of Brisbane and the Port of Melbourne, including cars concealed behind a facade of dismantled parts.
- Investigators say the group used CAN‑bus tools to unlock and start targeted Toyotas without keys and to disable onboard tracking.
- Toyota says it has introduced security updates for newer HiLux, LandCruiser 300 and Prado models, with a factory‑approved additional immobiliser to be offered through dealers.