‘They’re already inside’: Hi-tech crooks use new break-in method

High-tech crime is making its way into Australian suburbs, with thieves now using cloning devices to hijack garage doors and break into homes without keys or remotes.

In Melbourne’s west, a Werribee family was left shaken after CCTV captured a gang remotely opening their garage and driving off with their car in just minutes.

How the thieves pulled it off

The footage shows hooded offenders pulling up to the home before the garage door suddenly opens, despite the remote being inside the house. Within moments, they were inside the family’s Nissan X-Trail, rolling it out of the driveway and speeding away.

'All of a sudden, someone (is) into your house,' victim Samrawit Tarkegn told 7NEWS. 'They don’t even have a key. That’s just scary.'

The tech behind the crime

Experts say the gang likely used a signal-cloning device, a tool that can capture and replay garage door codes. These devices, which can be purchased online, allow thieves to gain access without ever touching the remote.

'People need to watch out for somebody who might be sitting in a car that is near their property,' Master Locksmiths Association president Martin Coote warned. 'That’s when these signals are being recorded.'

While the equipment isn’t necessarily easy to use, Coote said the fact that it’s available on the open market is concerning.

'It’s not ideal to have these kinds of products on the market. But they’re not exactly plug and play devices. You do need to have some sort of skill,' he explained.

Protecting your home from hi-tech thieves

Security experts warn that cloning attacks are becoming more common across Australia. Homeowners are being urged to add extra barriers between garages and living areas, and to consider security upgrades.

'You can get things like roller door anchors. Bollards is another thing you could do. It’s about layering your protection,' security consultant Ben Greagen advised.

Living with the aftermath

For Tarkegn and her family, the violation has left scars that go beyond the financial loss. 'I don’t feel safe. This is my house. I should feel safe with my family,' she said.