Victoria Police seized 800 key cloning devices from prolific car thieves last year, as new intelligence estimates more than 10,000 vehicles are stolen using this technology each year.
Motor vehicle theft has escalated markedly in Victoria in recent years, with the latest Crime Statistics Agency data showing 33,212 vehicles were stolen in the year to end of September 2025.
This has directly coincided with a surge in car thieves using key mimicking or cloning technology to override car security systems.
Victoria Police intelligence shows well over a quarter of all cars are now likely to be stolen in this manner.
Popular makes and models with push start ignitions are being targeted in ever increasing numbers - disappearing from residential streets or other community locations without any other offence, such as a robbery, burglary or carjacking occurring.
Most commonly in these thefts, the owner reported to police they retained the keys, and their car had simply vanished.
For example, 846 Toyota Landcruisers were stolen last year in circumstances suggesting technological theft was likely. In 2024, 241 Landcruisers disappeared in this fashion, while three years ago there were only 89 in this way.
Toyota Corollas, Hiluxs, and Rav 4s are also among the most targeted vehicles by tech savvy thieves, as well as Holden Commodores and Subaru Imprezas.
Victoria Police continues to work with impacted manufacturers in relation to this issue.
The hardest hit suburbs for technology driven car thefts last year were Melbourne, Dandenong, Tarneit, Narre Warren, St Albans, Craigieburn, Southbank, Reservoir, Truganina and Epping.
Other hotspots in early 2026 include Berwick, Malvern East, Clayton and Glen Waverley.
In response to this issue, Victoria Police continues to regularly arrest prolific car thieves while also seizing 800 key cloning or reprogramming devices last year.
Victoria Police also recovers around 80% of all vehicles stolen each year.
Police are urging owners of vehicles to look at a range of preventative measures to help deter thieves, including an on-board diagnostic port lock which prevents an offender connecting a reprogramming device to your vehicle. These locks are highly affordable and self-installable.
Other security tips include parking your vehicle off the street and always ensuring your vehicle is locked, even when at home.
Quotes attributable to Deputy Commissioner Regional Operations Bob Hill
"Our intelligence estimates as many as 30 cars are being stolen using key cloning technology in Victoria every day.
"Police are targeting the most prolific car thieves, which continues to lead to quick arrests.
"Key cloning devices are showing up more and more frequently at search warrants and during intercepts of suspicious vehicles.
"There is no doubt this methodology is rife in the criminal world and as a community, we need to work together to reduce car theft.
"The best thing you can do is park your car off the street and install anti-theft devices, such as OBD port locks, to reduce your chances of falling victim.
"Victoria Police continues to bolster the number of police in the community so our officers can deter and prevent crime."
Car theft indicating technological involvement
MAKE & MODEL
2022
2023
2024
2025
2022 TO 2025 increase
HOLDEN COMMODORE
485
605
1345
1271
2.6 times as many
TOYOTA LAND CRUISER
89
103
241
846
9.5 times as many
TOYOTA COROLLA
149
166
254
676
4.5 times as many
TOYOTA HILUX
140
186
335
592
4.2 times as many
TOYOTA RAV4
47
82
141
467
9.9 times as many
SUBARU IMPREZA
31
56
154
14.4 times as many
