Kia Boyz TikTok challenge sparks theft surge using USB cables

DETROIT (FOX 2) – Kia owners are currently being put on observe soon after a TikTok video clip goes viral — demonstrating men and women how to steal the rides. The LX trim design vehicles are generally the targets in this new development, and thieves are utilizing USB cables to do it.

“I was parked correct in this article, I pulled up proper in this article, and my aunt knocked on the door and stated, ”Tonia, where’s your auto at?'” said Latonia. “(I mentioned) outside the house, and she stated ‘It’s not right here.'”

Make no blunder about it, Latonia is only laughing to maintain from crying. Her 2022 Kia Sportage was stolen appropriate from the driveway on Detroit’s east side close to 4 a.m. Tuesday.

“I felt defeated,” she stated.

She’s just a person of a developing number of Kia proprietors whose cars and trucks have been stolen many thanks in aspect to the do the job of the so-known as “Kia Boys”

The moniker is for a group of young males who offered a how-to guideline to thieving the cars and trucks. And with a USB cable, an individual can get started up and push off with your auto.

The minimal-tech hack reportedly is effective on Hyundai products as well. The key is that the specific makes and styles only use keys.

This technique does not perform on press-start out automobiles or people outfitted with an immobilizer —a  device that keeps the engine from starting off unless of course the ideal crucial is regarded.

When the Kia Boyz are mentioned to be based in Milwaukee, the fruit of their lower-lifetime labor is currently being harvested correct right here in southeast Michigan, and the west facet of the state as effectively.

“They left without the need of a trace,” reported a different target.

This male who preferred to conceal his identification, suggests his Kia was stolen from his Grand Rapids home in July.

Law enforcement caught up with the thieves but they experimented with to get absent and ending up crashing the car.

“I went to the dealership and I went to them and explained what are you likely to do about this scenario? The supplier was like, there is very little really we can do,” the male said.

FOX 2 reached out to the automaker for remark. It produced the following statement:

“Kia The us is knowledgeable of the rise in vehicle thefts of a subset of trim ranges. All 2022 styles and trims have an immobilizer utilized either at the beginning of the year, or as a jogging adjust. All Kia vehicles for sale in the U.S. satisfy or exceed federal motor motor vehicle protection standards.”

All of that means minor to Latonia who experienced 2022 Kia. And when she has a rental car, her insurance policy will end paying out for it in 28 times. It could consider 35 times in advance of they settle her claim.

“I have received a rental and I value that, but I need my vehicle,” she mentioned.

Detroit police is advising Kia homeowners to park in very well-lit parts if they can not park in a garage – and they are advising a secondary alarm process.

FOX 2 spoke to some staff at a Kia dealership and they mentioned they have about a dozen recovered motor vehicles in their store ideal now that have to be repaired just after becoming stolen.