--- title: "35 High-End Cars Stolen in the UK Discovered in Thailand 8 Years Later" date: "2024-10-31" modified: "2024-10-31" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/35-high-end-cars-stolen-in-the-uk-discovered-in-thailand-8-years-later" categories: - "News" --- # 35 High-End Cars Stolen in the UK Discovered in Thailand 8 Years Later ![]() *\NavCIS\\ via X\* Eight years after 35 high-end sports cars, supercars, and luxury cars were stolen from the United Kingdom, police finally found them all in Thailand and returned them to their rightful owners. The cars were [stolen by a group of criminals]() spanning both countries, who organized a finance fraud scheme to "buy" them from different U.K. dealers. After eight years, there wasn't much hope of their return until a lucky shipping container inspection tipped off the U.K.'s National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS). A shipping container containing four stolen Mercedes was found at the Port of Southampton. Those Mercs exposed a much wider theft that ultimately led NaVCIS to track down the rest of the cars that had gone missing. They were initially purchased using fraudulent means before being quickly air-freighted to Bangkok, where they were then sold again through actual dealerships. With the help of Thai police, NaVCIS was able to locate them all. According to [*The Guardian*](), the head of NaVCIS, Sharon Naughton, said that the shipping container "was the pivot point that led us to working with the Thai authorities and national crime agencies to uncover a whole criminal enterprise. We identified a number of these vehicles had been transported to Bangkok via air freight.” > After 8 years, 35 vehicles, original value over £6million were returned from Thailand following Op Titanium. These were obtained on fraudulent finance and within a few days were shipped to Bangkok. It took years of work and fantastic assistance from Thai authorities. [pic.twitter.com/Ig0H5L2i97]() > — NaVCIS (@NaVCIS\_UK) [October 31, 2024]() Why cars from the U.K., though? The fact that they're right-hand drive, like Thai cars, has something to do with it, according to Intranee Sumawong, a senior public prosecutor for Thailand’s international affairs department. Also, the official told *The Guardian* that Thai people "love to own high-value cars," and that "it’s a very big market in Thailand for these cars.” Most of the vehicles were mid-to-high-end sports cars, like [Nissan GT-Rs](), [BMW M4s](), and [Porsche Boxsters](). There was even a [Civic Type R]() and [Mustang convertible]() in the mix. However, the indisputable crown jewel of the collection was a [Lamborghini Huracan Spyder](). Most were taken from dealers, but the Lambo was stolen from someone who ran a supercar rental business. That financial loss almost tanked their livelihood. Thankfully, NaVCIS believes it's found every car in the group, and they have all been reportedly returned to their owners. Imagine having lost a $200,000-plus Lamborghini to theft and almost losing your business because of it too, thinking it was gone forever, and *then* getting a call from the police eight years later. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()