A Melbourne man has been charged over his alleged involvement in an international syndicate accused of stealing high-end Toyotas and exporting them to the United Arab Emirates for profit.
Victoria Police allege the syndicate, which began operating in Victoria before relocating to Queensland in October last year, stole more than 150 vehicles worth over $20 million before moving north. Following the move, another 60 vehicles are believed to have been stolen in Queensland.
Police say the group used sophisticated methods to access vehicles’ on-board computers via the wiring, enabling theft without traditional break-ins.
As part of the investigation, dubbed Operation Xray Lox, Queensland Police executed four search warrants on Thursday 19 March at residential addresses in Doveton and Seaford.
A 27-year-old Doveton man has been charged with conspiracy to commit motor vehicle theft, motor vehicle theft, and handling stolen goods in relation to 46 alleged incidents between August and September 2025. He is due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 26 March.
Investigators seized three vehicles, multiple electronic devices, and business and banking records. Police allege the man used a commercial premises in Cranbourne West to store stolen vehicles in shipping containers, which were then sent to the Port of Melbourne bound for the UAE. Authorities believe transport companies were unaware of the containers’ contents.
Detective Acting Inspector Amanda Cohen of the Vehicle Crime Squad said the syndicate’s activity highlighted the broader risks posed by organised motor vehicle crime. “While Victoria Police has a high vehicle recovery rate – around 80 per cent of cars stolen in the past year have been located – car theft fuels organised criminal networks and threatens the safety of our communities, impacting families, businesses and neighbourhoods,” she said.
She added that vehicle theft has far-reaching consequences, affecting daily life and insurance costs. “This was a brazen and highly sophisticated syndicate, solely motivated by greed-driven profit. Their criminal behaviour will not be tolerated. We will continue to work closely with a range of law enforcement agencies and regulatory bodies to combat this issue.”
Police are urging vehicle owners to take preventative measures, including locking car doors and windows, using steering locks, securing keys, and installing on-board diagnostic port locks. Owners and insurers are encouraged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
The investigation is ongoing, with further charges expected.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
