The Spanish Civil Guard has warned Europol to be on alert about a new method of cargo theft which is occurring on roads across the European continent. It seems that as austerity spreads in Europe, ingenuity increases twofold.
The new criminal scheme has been dubbed the "Caballo de Troya" or “Trojan Horse” method, as thieves manage to gain entry to delivery trucks by hiding inside large wooden boxes, labeled “fragile.”These wooden boxes (complete with thieves) are then collected by parcel delivery services. Once the delivery vehicle is underway, the thieves free themselves from their box and help themselves to the contents of the various other boxes contained in the truck. Contents may include phones, jewelry and electronics, among other products.
Once they have taken their fill, they contact their accomplices via cellphone. Their accomplices then track down the truck using a GPS device, or they may already be following the vehicle at a distance. The accomplices then simulate an accident, forcing the vehicle to stop. Once stopped, the thieves then escape via a hole they have already cut in the truck’s roof.
The last major arrest was made by the Spanish Civil Guard in December 2013, when seven criminals were arrested for crashing cars into shop windows in an effort to steal goods. In the process, these criminals were also busted for two “Trojan Horse” thefts, which were carried out on the motorways near Madrid.
The Spanish-language video included below shows the arrests back in December 2013, together with an animated explanation of how the “Trojan Horse” method actually works.
Now Europol has alerted police forces Europe-wide to the “Trojan Horse” threat, which is becoming an increasingly popular method of theft.
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