Two mechanics from Nord and Pas-de-Calais are suspected of participating in nationwide auto trafficking. They are part of a group of people who have been referred to the Lille prosecutor’s office for indictment, the prosecutor’s office announced on Friday, October 15.

The two mechanics are suspected of having made up of vehicles in their establishment, one in the North, the other in the Pas-de-Calais, before they are resold.

A loss of 1.7 million euros

The network, very organized, stole more than 90 vehicles between Hauts-de-France, Normandy, New Aquitaine and Belgium. And this, thanks to the technique of “mouse hijacking“: a theft by computer hacking of the dashboard which makes it possible to quickly seize a vehicle. The total loss amounts to more than 1.7 million euros.

Some took care of spotting and then stealing the cars. The two northerner mechanics then put on make-up and two people were responsible for laundering the network. They acted for several months.

The people arrested Monday, October 11, are between 18 and 39 years old. They are all known to the police.

The Lille judicial police note the “upsurge in specialized teams“in electronic vehicle theft, thefts without visible break-ins.