Stolen! Key fob cloning theft method used to steal 2025 4Runner 6th gen

[Doofy]

Apple AirTag ?

thieves can scan to find, remove and discard apple air tags in minutes. not worth the effort if the thieves are part of the organized crime rings targeting these vehicles.

if it's a smash and grab theft, sure, an apple air tag will help you find your vehicle back

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[BRunner]

Its super simple to put my immobilizer into service mode or transport mode.

Not having an immobilizer myself my comment about service was based on a buddies truck. I'll mention this to him, thanks!

 

[BRunner]

Has this classic anti theft system been discussed here yet?

 

[juan mesa]

Has this classic anti theft system been discussed here yet?

No really, I think it’s because you don’t see these types of thefts in the USA as much as in Canada, specifically on Toyota cars and Lexus

 

[6thGen1419]

No really, I think it’s because you don’t see these types of thefts in the USA as much as in Canada, specifically on Toyota cars and Lexus

Interesting facts regarding thefts in Canada vs US. I was chatting with AI ChatGPT about this theft and it had some interesting info on Canada vs US car thefts:


Why Canada shows up disproportionately in these theft reports

Export logistics strongly favor Canada

This is the single biggest factor.

• Canada has major container ports very close to large metro areas
• Stolen vehicles can be:
  
  • Moved to a port quickly
  • Loaded into containers
  • Exported overseas with comparatively low friction

Once a car is exported:

• Recovery becomes extremely unlikely
• The risk to the theft ring drops sharply

In the U.S.:

• Export paths exist, but
• Distances, port access, and enforcement patterns often raise the risk and cost

So from a criminal perspective:

Canada is a more efficient supply chain.

Insurance and enforcement dynamics differ
Speaking generally:

• Canadian auto insurance is more centralized and standardized
• Losses are spread differently across the system
• Theft rings often perceive:
  
  • Slower interdiction
  • Less aggressive federal involvement on export theft

That perception — whether fully accurate or not — changes behavior.

Criminal networks go where they believe the odds are better.

Urban design and parking patterns

In many Canadian cities:

More driveway and street parking

• Fewer private garages than comparable U.S. suburbs
• Dense residential layouts with easy vehicle access

That increases:

• Opportunity
• Anonymity
• Low-risk staging (like the parked car you described earlier)

Same cars, same vulnerabilities

Important clarification:

Canadian-market vehicles are not fundamentally less secure than U.S. ones.

• Same manufacturers
• Same platforms
• Same keyless systems
• Same software families

So this is not a “Canada has worse security” issue.


Concentration effects

Once a region becomes known for:

Successful theft

• Easy export
• Predictable resale

You get:

• Copycat behavior
• Tool sharing
• Training of new crews
• Rapid clustering of incidents

That’s why forums can suddenly look “Canada-heavy.”

 

[juan mesa]

Interesting facts regarding thefts in Canada vs US. I was chatting with AI ChatGPT about this theft and it had some interesting info on Canada vs US car thefts:


Why Canada shows up disproportionately in these theft reports

Export logistics strongly favor Canada

This is the single biggest factor.

• Canada has major container ports very close to large metro areas
• Stolen vehicles can be:
  • Moved to a port quickly
  • Loaded into containers
  • Exported overseas with comparatively low friction

Once a car is exported:

• Recovery becomes extremely unlikely
• The risk to the theft ring drops sharply

In the U.S.:

• Export paths exist, but
• Distances, port access, and enforcement patterns often raise the risk and cost

So from a criminal perspective:


Insurance and enforcement dynamics differ
Speaking generally:

• Canadian auto insurance is more centralized and standardized
• Losses are spread differently across the system
• Theft rings often perceive:
  • Slower interdiction
  • Less aggressive federal involvement on export theft

That perception — whether fully accurate or not — changes behavior.

Criminal networks go where they believe the odds are better.

Urban design and parking patterns

In many Canadian cities:

More driveway and street parking

• Fewer private garages than comparable U.S. suburbs
• Dense residential layouts with easy vehicle access

That increases:

• Opportunity
• Anonymity
• Low-risk staging (like the parked car you described earlier)

Same cars, same vulnerabilities

Important clarification:

• Same manufacturers
• Same platforms
• Same keyless systems
• Same software families

So this is not a “Canada has worse security” issue.


Concentration effects

Once a region becomes known for:

Successful theft

• Easy export
• Predictable resale

You get:

• Copycat behavior
• Tool sharing
• Training of new crews
• Rapid clustering of incidents

That’s why forums can suddenly look “Canada-heavy.”

Thanks, some of the stuff mentioned are very accurate and very informative.

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