Criminals in Australia have been using 3D printers to clone license plates and use them to commit crimes while concealing their identities. This has resulted in several car owners being fined or accused of criminal activities without their knowledge.
A resident in the state of Victoria, Braden Rawlinson, was accused of a hit-and-run, a burglary, and gas theft after someone used his grandmother’s cloned license plate. Another victim in Brisbane had more than $5,000 in speeding tickets issued using her cloned plates.
It is possible for criminals to get access to license plates by taking pictures of parked cars or by looking for cars that are similar to theirs. However, owners of the latest license plates in Queensland may have more protection, as these plates have directional marks that can only be seen from certain angles, making them harder to recreate.
“If you’re uploading photos or videos of your vehicle online, make sure you blur or block out the number plate,” said Andrew Kirk, principal technical researcher for the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland.
“It’s also a good idea to park in a garage or secure parking facility whenever possible; parking on the street or in your driveway gives criminals easier access to steal or photograph your registration plates.”
The state of Victoria has announced that it will incorporate holograms into its license plates to make them harder to counterfeit, as seen in the image above.
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