Kia Boys: TikTok car steal challenge gaining widespread popularity, police across the world are overwhelmed

A challenge on TikTok and other social media platforms which is spreading in a fast pace is putting car owners and police departments on alert across America. This trend challenges young teens to steal specific cars from the street using a USB cord. 

The challenge targets certain designs and models of Kia and Hyundai, which were launched between 2010-2021. These vehicles use a mechanical key instead of a key fob or push-button to start the car. 

Investigators reported that the trend commenced last year and the number of cars getting stolen is piling up across the country.

According to reports by police in St. Petersburg, Florida, more than a third of the cars stolen in the area are influenced by the TikTok challenge. Officials of Los Angeles reported that this trend has increased Hyundai and Kia car theft by 85 %. 

The trend is so influencing that even an 11-year-old executed one of the theft. 

The thieves use the hashtag “Kia Boys” to post videos of them stealing and driving the stolen cars. This hashtag has gained around 33 million views on TikTok. 

Tom Dart, the Cook County Sheriff in Chicago asserted that the activity has taken a viral nature on social media and accelerating in a way that they have never experienced before. He also expressed that the thieves steal in about 20-30 seconds. He added that the method is as old-fashioned as one can imagine.