The car theft TikTok trend – which is also referred to as “KIA Boys” or the “Kia Challenge” – is being blamed for a spike in thefts of Kia and Hyundai vehicles across the country, including in North Texas. The challenge involves using a USB cable to hotwire the car and then driving it around before abandoning it or intentionally crashing it. The “joyride” is often filmed and posted on TikTok, YouTube or other social media platforms.
The trend started in 2021 in Milwaukee and began picking up steam nationwide in the late spring and summer of this year. Certain Kia and Hyundai are being targeted because they have a keyless ignition system that can be fooled by a USB cable.