Hijackings using trackers are on the rise in Luxembourg

Luxembourg police are sounding the alarm: car thefts are becoming more and more technological, with hidden GPS trackers allowing criminals to track a car's location so they can quickly break in and steal it. According to official figures, almost 600 cars have been stolen in 2024, with the number of attempted break-ins approaching 4,000 - figures that are steadily rising.

How does the circuit work? The tracker is inconspicuously attached to the underside of the car. From that moment, the attackers have access to the exact route and habits of the owner: where he parks, what time he returns, how often he leaves the car on the street. As soon as the car is in a "convenient" place, the criminals act quickly and quietly.

One of these trackers was recently discovered in the municipality of Putscheid. The investigation is ongoing, but the police suspect that organised groups are behind this type of crime, operating systematically and according to pre-determined schemes.

Marc Ragnacci, head of the Luxembourg Police Prevention Service, explains: "At first I thought it might be related to stalking - for example, in domestic violence or divorce cases. Such cases do happen. But in this case, it's professional theft."

The greatest risk is for vehicles with keyless entry, where start-up is based on a signal from sensors rather than a conventional key. If the key is stored near the front door, its code can be easily intercepted with specialised equipment.

So far, the police do not have exact statistics on tracker use, but the trend is a serious concern. Simple precautions could prove key in the fight against a new generation of car thefts.