Police have recovered more than a million dollars’ worth of stolen cars during an operation targeting cloned and stolen numberplates that has seen 79 people arrested across Melbourne’s southeast.
The Frankston Crime Investigation Unit’s Targeted Enforcement Crew (TEC) was established at the end of March to disrupt offending and prevent thieves from trying to fly under the radar by using fraudulent numberplates.
In less than four months, the crew has seized almost 32 pairs of cloned registration plates from homes in Baxter, Carrum Downs, Dandenong, Frankston, Frankston North, Langwarrin and Lynbrook.
25 vehicles believed to have been stolen from across Melbourne worth approximately $1mil were also recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
A Toyota Land Cruiser worth approximately $200,000 was recovered as were four vehicles – an Audi A5, Nissan Patrol and two Toyota Hiluxes – which were valued at around $70,000 each.
Other vehicles ranged between $10,000 and $50,000.
Since March this year, 79 people have been arrested.
Of note:
- Following a search warrant at a Baxter address in August last year that saw a 20-year-old woman charged with negligently deal with the proceeds of crime, police began investigating her alleged co-accused. Enquiries led officers to a property in Carrum Downs, which was raided in March this year. It will be alleged the 32-year-old Carrum Downs man was manufacturing high-end cloned plates and selling them online, where customers could place orders. He was charged with theft of motor vehicle, make false document, negligently deal with proceeds of crime, theft, drive whilst suspended, trafficking and possessing a drug of dependence, prohibited person possess firearm, and possessing an imitation firearm. He was remanded in custody to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 17 July.
- On 1 June, TEC members located and disabled a stolen Toyota Hilux in the Carrum Downs area. Soon after, three people attended the Hilux in an allegedly stolen Toyota Corolla bearing false numberplates. The group is accused of resisting arrest, however, were unsuccessful and were arrested by detectives. Investigators seized three sets of allegedly stolen numberplates, as well as drugs of dependence and a knife. Three people aged 30, 40 and 33 were charged with two thefts of motor vehicles, drug and weapon possession and also in relation to the stolen numberplates. They were bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 11 August.
- On 29 May, TEC members attempted to intercept a vehicle bearing false plates on Dandenong Road West, Frankston when the driver allegedly accelerated through a red light and busy intersection into oncoming traffic. Further checks revealed the driver was also disqualified. Following extensive enquiries, police executed a search warrant in the Seaford area on Thursday 16 July, where police located the vehicle, false numberplates, 12 bottles of GHB, methylamphetamine and an imitation handgun. A 31-year-old woman has been charged with reckless conduct endangering serious injury, fraudulently display numberplates, fail to stop on police direction, and three counts of drive whilst disqualified. She was bailed to appear in Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 1 October.
A previous investigation conducted by the TEC in September 2025 in the Ivanhoe area saw a man charged over the alleged manufacture of 875 sets of cloned plates, several of which were allegedly linked to serious and organised crime. The 38-year-old from Ivanhoe remains before the courts, to appear in Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court on 21 July.
Stolen and cloned plates are often used to aid offenders as they attempt to fly under the radar when committing further crimes such as aggravated burglaries, fire-bombings, drive-by shootings and drug trafficking.
Anecdotally, they are often affixed to the same make, model and colour of stolen vehicles matching that of the original car to avoid detection.
Cloned plates are also interchanged on vehicles that are being used repetitively in criminal syndicates.
The Frankston Crime Investigation Unit Targeted Enforcement Crew will continue these operations targeting thieves and will be assisted by the Air Wing and Dog Squad.
Anyone who has information on cloned or stolen number plates that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Frankston Investigation and Response Inspector Melissa Nixon:
“Having your numberplates cloned is not only an inconvenience, but it can also be costly to have them replaced.
“However, there are a few simple measures owners can take to lessen their chances of falling victim.
“We strongly advise anyone who is trying to sell a car or posting images of their car online to blur the numberplate, to avoid falling victim to anyone scanning social media for registration plates to clone.
“You can also instal anti-theft screws which make it very hard for thieves to steal your plates quickly and without damaging them. These are free at police stations or available for a small price at hardware stores.
“The success of the team in such a short period of time has already made a large dent in alleged syndicates across the southeast, and we will continue working around the clock to disrupt organised criminal activity.”
