Danger lurks in cheap mobile-based car track gadgets

Unsuspecting motorists are now falling prey to a new car theft syndicate that involves briefcase providers of car-tracking devices and criminals.

The rogue business people usually target buyers of second-hand vehicles, selling to them tracking devices that are operated using mobile telephones.

Many operate from the vicinity of second-hand car yards which have sprouted on city roadsides.

They use cheap prices to lure unsuspecting car buyers by offering to install a tracking device at almost a third of price quoted by established dealers.

With the rising cost of living and the value of the shillings eroded by erratic exchange rates, the prices of motor vehicles has risen sharply and buyers look for ways to save by going for cheap accessories, including tracking services.

Recently, one family lost a Toyota NZE to carjackers who tracked the car using a mobile phone-based vehicle tracking device that had been fitted by a briefcase provider that they had met at car sales yard on Ngong Road.

The man, his wife and daughter had travelled to Juja to their plot of land which was about eight kilometres off the Thika Super Highway.

The woman, whose first name is Grace, said their vehicle came to a halt while they were driving back to Kikuyu, where they live.
The husband thought it was a mechanical problem and stepped out to check but before he could open the bonnet, three men with guns attacked him.

“Someone with the codes stopped the car,” said Grace. “They drove it to a secluded place where they stopped. The thieves opened the bonnet and removed a tracking device. It is like they had all the information on the gadget.”

The couple had opted for the briefcase provider services which they thought was a better deal. Established dealers sell a vehicle tracking device between Sh25,000 and Sh30,000. However, the couple had been charged Sh12,000.

They paid only Sh6,000 as deposit after an agreement that they would pay the balance after testing the device.

Motor vehicle tracking and fleet management service providers who use telecommunications (terrestrial or satellite based) systems are licensed by CCK and are provided with Application Service Providers ( ASP) licences.

The industry regulator, the Communication Commission of Kenya (CCK) says it has only licensed eight firms to engage in car -tracking businesses.

CCK said that it may be possible that some service providers have been operating either illegally or are not using telecommunications systems, in which case they do not need licences from CCK.

“Those that are not licensed would be committing a criminal act,” said the CCK acting director- general, Francis Wangusi. “The public is advised to seek such services from reputable firms that are duly registered by the relevant organs of government, have permanent offices and display relevant certificates and licences .”