London car theft gang jailed for £1.7m spree using key emulators

A four‑man gang has been jailed for orchestrating a seven‑month car‑theft spree across London, using electronic key‑emulation devices to bypass vehicle security. The group stole 73 vehicles valued at between £1.1 million and £1.7 million, with some cars shipped overseas to meet overseas demand. Police said the operation was conducted “to order” for buyers abroad. The four men received a combined sentence of 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

CCTV footage shown at Snaresbrook Crown Court captured Kabir Ahmed, 35, wearing a baseball cap, approaching a parked SUV in Brockley, southeast London, on July 10 last year. He calmly climbed into the driver’s seat and drove off as accomplices followed in a stolen Toyota Prius. The gang searched residential streets for SUVs during the day and returned under cover of darkness to take them, sometimes breaking into homes to grab keys.

The gang was identified as Mohammed Ahmed, 30, of Bow; Muhammed Ali, 34, of Forest Gate; Kabir Ahmed, 35, of Hornchurch; and Paul Barringer, 33, of Southend‑on‑Sea, Essex. Detectives linked them to the bulk of the crimes through CCTV, forensic evidence, and the recovery of reprogramming devices found inside their car. The court heard the vehicles were stolen to order for customers abroad, with makes including Toyota, Hyundai, Kia and Mitsubishi. Police recovered 27 of the stolen cars, though some had already been shipped overseas in containers.

Mohammed Ahmed was jailed for five years, Ali for five years and 10 months, Kabir Ahmed for four years and eight months, and Barringer for two years and six months. The Metropolitan Police said the investigation was part of a broader crackdown on vehicle theft and that targeted patrols and operations have contributed to a decline in vehicle offences across the force.

Detective Inspector Damian Hill, who led the investigation for the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, said the thefts had a significant impact on victims and that officers would continue to pursue prolific offenders. “We know car theft has a real impact on people’s lives,” Hill said. “Through targeted patrols and operations like this, we have reduced vehicle offences by 18 per cent.” The force emphasized ongoing work to disrupt organized car‑theft networks and intercept stolen vehicles before they reach buyers abroad.

The case underscores how digital tools once limited to locksmiths—devices that emulate working keys and can reprogram new ones—have become central to modern car‑theft rings. Authorities said the devices bypass security systems by mimicking legitimate keys, enabling thieves to gain access even when original keys are missing. The investigation highlighted the vulnerabilities of certain vehicle makes and the need for continued vigilance as criminals adapt to evolving technology. The broader trend in London remains an active area of police focus, with officials noting both progress and persistent risks as offenders shift tactics to evade detection.