“Gone Before We Knew It” — Police Sends Urgent Warning Toyota Land Cruiser and Prado Owners

In a case that has alarmed law enforcement and car owners, police in Australia’s Queensland have dismantled what authorities are calling a international car theft syndicate responsible for the theft of dozens of Toyota vehicles worth an estimated $8 million.

The operation, which ended in late 2025 but has continued in recent days, highlights how rapidly evolving criminal methods are putting owners of high-end off-road vehicles and SUVs at risk and has triggered urgent warnings for owners of these models to step up security and remain vigilant.

Police say the syndicate targeted specific Toyota models, including Land Cruisers and Prados, known for their high resale value and strong export demand, particularly in Middle Eastern markets. The group is believed to have landed in the greater Brisbane area on legal visas and established a base from which they carried out a highly organized theft campaign between October 20 and December 1, 2025.

The ‘CAN Bus’ method

Detective Inspector Paul Dalton, speaking on behalf of Queensland Police, described the union’s methodology as follows: “well documented and very organized.” He accused the suspects of stealing around 60 vehicles over the course of six weeks. The men allegedly used specialized tools, including CAN bus injectors, to quickly bypass onboard safety systems.

These devices are capable of bypassing electronic locks, disabling immobilizers and allowing instant access to the vehicle’s electrical system without standard keys.

Stolen vehicles were often moved quickly, hidden in shipping containers and smuggled to international ports for export. On December 2, police tracked two allegedly stolen Land Cruisers to a wrecking yard in Rocklea, hidden behind dismantled car parts in a container.

In the weeks that followed, authorities located several more containers at the ports of Brisbane and Melbourne, eventually recovering around 15 of the stolen cars.

Authorities have charged seven foreign nationals, aged 28 to 45, with more than 300 offenses, including multiple counts of vehicle theft and attempted theft related to the network’s activities. Some people have been remanded in custody awaiting appearance in the Brisbane Magistrates Court throughout January 2026, where they face a range of serious charges.

A global pipeline

One of the suspects, a 29-year-old man with links to a local car parts company, was recently refused bail on the grounds that magistrates deemed the alleged operation both “sophisticated” and posing an unacceptable risk to the community if released. Legal representatives argued that the accused had cooperated with the police, but the seriousness of the alleged crimes and the advanced methods used in the robberies influenced the court’s decision.

The investigation, known internally by police as Operation Xray Lox, involved resources from multiple agencies including the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force, underscoring how serious and complex the syndicate’s activities were considered. Agents believe that once the vehicles were overseas, they were sold or dismantled for parts and profit in markets where documentation and enforcement may be less rigorous than in Australia.

The case has left motorists and industry analysts with pressing questions about vehicle safety. Toyota Australia says it is aware of a marked increase in thefts involving rapidly evolving technology and is working with law enforcement and global partners to develop improved protections and countermeasures.

Owners of high-value commercial vehicles, particularly those with four-wheel drive capabilities, have been urged to adopt additional security measures, including physical locks, off-street parking and upgraded alarm systems.

45 vehicles still missing

For many victims, the emotional and financial toll has been profound. In at least one documented case, a Toyota Land Cruiser worth more than $81,000 (A$120,000) was removed from a residential driveway in less than sixty seconds, according to local reports. Owners described their distress at the speed of the theft and praised police for recovering their vehicles, but stressed that better preventative measures were needed.

Police maintain the union no longer poses an immediate threat to the community, but the case has sparked new calls for vigilance among vehicle owners and industry stakeholders. Investigators are still trying to locate the approximately 45 vehicles they say have yet to be found and are urging anyone with information to contact local authorities.

Sources: News.com.au, ABC