Gang drives off cars worth millions in duplicate keys con

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First the gang picked a car they wanted, often parked on the streets of Kensington or Chelsea, and noted its registration and vehicle identification number.

Using a forged logbook and British passport in the same name, a gang member would travel to the Continent where he convinced local car dealers he was on holiday or on business and had lost his keys.

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CCTV Footage of the gang in action, they have admitted stealing 21 cars worth £1.3million

The dealers would supply duplicates, often within 24 hours.

The thief then returned and drove off the car he had targeted.

In two and a half years the gang stole BMWs, Mercedes and Range Rovers including one belonging to Tara Palmer-Tomkinson.

The vehicles, complete with new identities, were then shipped to the United Arab Emirates via Maastricht and Antwerp.

Altogether the gang admitted stealing 21 cars worth £1.3 million but detectives believe they took many more.

Detective Constable Ian Slaney, of the Stolen Vehicle Unit, said: "This was a security loophole which this gang exploited.

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In two and a half years the gang stole BMWs, Mercedes and Range Rovers including one belonging to Tara Palmer-Tomkinson

"We have been working closely with manufacturers and they have been reviewing their security procedures."

Five men were facing jail today at Southwark crown court after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing.

Shazad Hussain, 38, of Birmingham, admitted conspiracies to steal and conceal the proceeds.

The others are Shakeel Shoukat, 20, of Milford, Essex, forger Hameed Nawaz, 30, of Luton, Imran Ganchi, 29, and Yusef Kaduji, 21, of no fixed address.