KUALA LUMPUR: Car thieves are believed to have revived an old ploy of hijacking vehicles which involved stealing the vehicle registration plate and luring victims into carjacking after pretending to have 'found' the licence plate.
A message has been circulating on social media recently, namely WhatsApp, warning women drivers of this tactic, which was quite common many years ago.
It claimed that the car thieves, under this method, would follow the victim's vehicle to a parking lot and wait for the person to leave the car.
They then remove the licence plate and wait for the victim's return.
When the victim drove off, they would follow again and tried to overtake and show off the 'dismantled' licence place as if they had found it.
When the victim stopped by the roadside to get the plate, these car thieves, usually armed, would threaten the victim before hijacking the victim's car.
The WhatsApp message pointed out that such tactic happened very quickly, well rehearsed and organised that it rarely raise any suspicion from other passing motorists.
"Happening in Malaysia, number plate robbery is a new car hijacking trend. Hijackers follow you to a parking lot, after you leave your vehicle, they remove your number plate and wait.
"When you come back and drive off, they follow you.
"They then overtake you, displaying your number plate out of their window as if you just lost it.
"When you stop to get your plate back, guns come out and they take the car. Maybe even take you and your car.
"It's a very well rehearsed and organised plan and everything happens very quickly. Other motorists may not be aware of what is happening as you stopped the car yourself.
"Please alert others of this danger!!! Pass it on!!," the message read.
Police in the past have issued warnings to women drivers about the matter and held safety campaigns to raise awareness on common tactics used by carjackers.