It doesn’t look like the “Kia Boyz” or “Kia Challenge” craze is going anywhere anytime soon. The trend has escalated the theft of Kia and Hyundai vehicles, according to police in various American states and counties.
The first pair of young guys to be referred to as “Kia Boyz” emerged in a TikTok video teaching how to steal certain Kia vehicles. They were dressed in black masks.
It has become popular as more users have discovered how simple it is to steal Kia and Hyundai vehicles using a USB cord. Car theft has escalated as a result of several videos on TikTok and YouTube.
Teenagers even started stealing cars using the method outlined in the original films. As a result, police have apprehended numerous youths who have been caught stealing cars.
Let’s examine the instances in more depth, along with Kia Motors’ reaction to the pattern. Continue reading to learn how you can simply defend your Kia or Hyundai vehicle against the fad.
Arrested Kia Boys Take on TikTok Challenge to Steal Hyundai and Kia Cars
Page Contents
Kent County Police detained two adolescents after a morning chase and rollover collision there.
After a medical examination, two minors, aged 14 and 15, who are accused of stealing a car, were taken into jail. The incident was classified as part of the Kia Boys fad.
The Monroe County sheriff posted on social media on December 12 that a 14-year-old child had been accused of stealing two automobiles on September 16 and 17.
The sheriff linked the Kia Boyz TikTok challenge that targeted Hyundai and Kia motors.
The pattern doesn’t appear to be fading anytime soon. Police in many American states and counties have issued warnings about the movement’s growing thievery and risky behavior in relation to Korean automakers.
An Increase In The TikTok Challenge’s Influence
Statistics show that at the end of August, 20% of the stolen cars in the city were Korean-made, and according to Marca, the theft of these brands is predicted to rise by 767% by 2022.
The trend started in Milwaukee in 2021, but it has since spread across the entire nation. The Wall Street Journal claims that
More than 60 Kia vehicles were stolen in August 2021; astonishingly, 600 Kia vehicles were taken in just one year. In the meantime, St. Louis asserted that the effect of online trends would result in more than 48% of autos being stolen in 2022.
Many participants in the movement appear to be robbing or breaking into cars for amusement or other reasons.
Reaction of the Participating Companies
TikTok has promised to remove any pertinent videos that Kia Challenge thieves have posted on the platform.
Both Hyundai and Kia recognized an uptick in auto thefts, and Kia also mentioned that immobilizers are now standard on all new vehicles starting with the 2022 model year.
Additionally, Kia offered complimentary steering wheel locks to police departments for distribution in high-theft areas.
How do you defend your automobile against the Kia guys’ TikTok craze?
Thankfully, there are a number of quick, easy, and affordable ways to stop the Kia Boys.
By parking indoors and securing your vehicle, you can avoid having your Kia or Hyundai appear on TikTok’s home page.
An alternate choice is to buy an immobilizer. The mechanic is likely capable of installing one for you.
