Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 Are Newest Victims Of 'Game Boy' Hack

Hyundai and Kia are no strangers to theft problems. In 2022 and 2023, the brands made news after the Kia Boys ran amok using low-tech methods to steal base model cars, like using a USB charger to turn the ignition cylinder. Attacks have gotten more sophisticated since then, and now thieves with deeper pockets and higher ambitions have begun seeking out Hyundai EVs as a target.

In 2021, a surge of stolen Hyundai and Kia vehicles took place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The thefts were eventually attributed to a group called the "Kia Boys" who made off with vehicles for clout, driving them recklessly before trashing them or leaving them on the side of the road when they ran out of gas. Eventually, the thefts became a viral sensation on social media and resulted in some affected models becoming uninsurable.

Reports of stolen Hyundai Ioniq 5s began popping up late last year. Owners were waking up to missing vehicles or notifications on their cell phones that their cars had been unlocked, and eventually unable to be tracked from their Hyundai app.

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