Shaquille O'Neal's Range Rover stolen after a sophisticated cyberattack on the transport company

Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal has been the victim of an unusual theft with a technological component: his customized Range Rover, valued at $180,000, was stolen after a cyberattack aimed at the transport company responsible for his transfer between Georgia and Louisiana. The incident once again puts at the center of attention the vulnerability of digital logistics systems and the risks associated with transporting luxury goods.

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How the theft happened: the key was in the hack

The vehicle, a Range Rover 2025 specially modified for Shaq's height of 2.16 meters, was picked up on Monday, October 20, by the transport company hired by Effortless Motors, the dealer responsible for customizing the off-road vehicle. The initial destination was Louisiana, where it would receive additional adjustments that would bring its value to about 300,000 dollars. However, the vehicle never reached its destination.

According to research, cybercriminals They hacked the transport company's internal systems, accessing critical information about collections, deliveries and logistics documentation. With this data, the attackers were able to impersonate the legitimate transport company and present themselves to the dealer with false credentials, managing to get hold of the luxurious SUV.

Ahmad Abdelrahman, owner of Effortless Motors, explained to Los Angeles Times that when contacting the transportation company FirstLine Trucking LLC to track the vehicle, they informed him that “their system had been hacked” and that they never received the official order, allowing the attackers to intercept the car and disappear with it.

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Ongoing research and reward for information

The Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, Georgia, confirmed that they are investigating the case as a theft with possible impersonation and fraudulent access to computer systems. Authorities suspect that this incident could be part of a larger criminal network specializing in the theft of luxury vehicles using hacking and digital manipulation techniques.

Effortless Motors has offered a 10,000 dollar reward to anyone who provides information leading to the recovery of Shaq's black Range Rover.

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A growing problem: the theft of luxury vehicles by cyberattacks

This case is not an isolated one. In May 2025, a Rolls Royce valued at $300,000 disappeared during a shipment from South Florida to Detroit, under almost identical circumstances: the attackers altered the delivery details and took possession of the vehicle posing as the transportation company.

These incidents highlight a growing cybersecurity problem in the high-end vehicle logistics sector, where criminals exploit vulnerabilities in shipping management systems, databases and internal communications to execute complex and difficult to track thefts.

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Shaq's passion for luxury cars

Shaquille O'Neal is a well-known motorsport enthusiast, with a collection of more than 40 custom vehicles valued at approximately $4 million. Its jewels include a Ferrari 355 F1 Spider, a Bentley Azure, a Lamborghini Gallardo, a 2018 Vaydor, and multiple models modified specifically to fit their height and weight.

Effortless Motors has worked on several of its vehicles, including its Corvette Z06, its TRX 1500 Apocalypse and its Escalade IQ, establishing a business relationship that is now marred by this theft that Abdelrahman described as “crazy”.

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Lessons and recommendations for the transport sector

This incident underlines the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity throughout the logistics chain, especially when handling high-value goods. Some key measures include:

• Implement multifactor authentication and strong encryption in management systems
• Verify identities using additional protocols before high-value deliveries
• Monitor accesses and detect anomalies in real time
• Train employees to identify social engineering and impersonation techniques
• Collaborate with authorities and cybersecurity experts in the face of any sign of commitment

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Is your logistics or transportation company protected from targeted cyberattacks?

‍At Apolo Cybersecurity we audit infrastructures, form teams and design security protocols to protect critical operations and prevent theft due to fraudulent access to systems.