A classic mobile phone model has unexpectedly become a tool in the hands of car thieves, who with the right tweaks can use it to unlock almost any vehicle.

More and more car thieves are moving away from traditional break-in methods—like smashing windows with crowbars, prying open doors, or using lock-picking kits to bypass a vehicle’s mechanical tumblers.

In earlier decades, hotwiring was a common trick: by tearing away the steering column cover and crossing the right wires, a thief could drive off in seconds. Others relied on brute force, disabling alarms or even towing a vehicle away when time allowed. These methods, while effective, were messy, noisy, and often left clear signs of tampering.

Now, however, thieves are turning instead to high-tech tricks that are far harder to detect. The latest and perhaps most striking example is the repurposing of an old Nokia handset. With specific modifications, the device can fool a car’s electronic systems into believing it has been legitimately unlocked.

Once considered a symbol of durability and reliability, this iconic Nokia phone has resurfaced across Europe in a much darker role: a weapon for thieves.

The technique works by exploiting the vehicle’s CAN bus system—the internal communication network that connects its electronic components. By tampering with it, the modified phone allows thieves to open the doors without ever touching the car’s actual key.