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Cyber crime often makes the news, but this time a “Cyber Village” was credited as the crime fighters. The cast of characters (other than the thief) were all members of the beyond.ca car enthusiast’s forum. You see, the car was stolen the old fashioned way but was recovered within 48 hours by cyber tracking. Even without a GPS tracker on board the crime was solved by people that shared a love both for cars and for the internet. Fortunately there were cyber friends available to answer Mr. Ironsides desperate plea.

The rare Nissan Skyline GT-R was stolen by a young man that surely believed that he would not get caught. Apparently he enjoyed the test drive so much that instead of returning the car to Mr. Ironside’s specialty dealership he took it home. Little did he know about the cyber hunt that was about to be unleashed.

The trail heated up when Mr. Lynch, a moderator from beyond.ca saw the elusive Skyline GT-R and remembered details of the post that included a New York Yankees baseball cap and some missing fingers of the driver. Right out of a “dumb criminal” file the driver raised his hand in a “rock out” sign and gave Mr. Lynch the perfect opportunity to snap a picture.

Since Mr. Ironside had already filed a police report it was easy for Mr. Lynch to convey information to them. By the next day, among multiple posts one appeared from Mr. Lynch, who is know as JAYMEZ on the forums;

“I FOUUUNNNDDDDD THEM =). And I have pictures Called the police and chased them, also talked to them.”

According to the police that photo was solid evidence. During the next 24 hours several forum members searched for the Skyline GT-R. Information posted by yet another forum member Allen Thompson, also known as Numi, set off a flurry of more posts by more members. A Google map pinpointed the residence and searches on Facebook provided a profile of the suspect. The following morning, after reading new posts throughout the night, Mr. Patel, another beyond.ca forum member know as Dj-Stylz decided to make an attempt to catch the car parked and sure enough he was able to find it. Even though he was on his way to work Mr. Patel informed the police and waited for them to arrive. In the meantime he had another forum friend posted the latest developments.

Mr. Ironside read the post and by 8:45 am he was on the scene. Police showed up shortly after and Mr. Ironside was reunited with his Nissan Skyline GT-R. A good wash, some minor paint repair and some new tires would return it to its pre-theft condition. This story makes me want to join a few more forums - I may need some caring cyber friends someday.

Read [New York Times] Read [beyond.ca]

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