A tow truck rolls up, hooks a luxury Range Rover and pulls away. Miami Beach detectives say that surveillance video became a key clue that led them to 30-year-old Hakam Shahin, arrested June 26 near the 5600 block of Collins Avenue and accused of taking part in what investigators describe as a sophisticated scheme targeting owners who ship high‑end vehicles out of state. Shahin faces felony counts that include first‑degree grand theft, an organized scheme to defraud and threats or extortion, according to booking records.
Video, Scheme and Victims
Newly obtained footage shows a tow truck picking up a Range Rover valued at about $125,000 from a victim’s location, part of what investigators say appears to be a pattern in which thieves impersonate auto haulers and intercept cars while they are being moved. According to police, hackers accessed dispatch boards at vehicle‑transport companies, pulled customer information, then posed as legitimate towing services and arranged pickups that ended with owners losing their cars, as reported by Local 10. Authorities say several of the stolen luxury vehicles tied to the investigation have been recovered.
Booking Records and Charges
Online booking logs list Shahin as the person booked in connection with the case. Those records show he faces one count of first‑degree grand theft of more than $100,000, one count of an organized scheme to defraud and one count of threats or extortion. The logs list Shahin’s residence as Oakland Park and show an arrest date in late June, according to the Dade County arrest listing.
What Investigators Told Reporters
“A hacker hacks into the dispatch board, obtained the information of the victim, posed as if they are the tow company who were hired to transport the vehicle, and most times the victim never sees their vehicle again,” Miami Beach Police Officer Christopher Bess told Local 10.
Investigators told the station that tow‑truck drivers are often unaware they are participating in a theft because they believe they are responding to a legitimate dispatch. They also recommend that owners hide a secondary GPS tracker inside their vehicles before shipping them, so there is at least a chance to follow the car if it disappears.
Protecting Your Shipment
Vehicle owners preparing to ship high‑value cars are urged to thoroughly vet carriers, request written contracts and proof of insurance, and consider using a concealed tracking device as an extra layer of protection. Anyone with information on this investigation is asked to contact Miami‑Dade Crime Stoppers at 305‑471‑8477.
Investigation Ongoing
Miami Beach police say the probe remains active and detectives believe there may be other suspects tied to the operation. Authorities are asking anyone who saw the tow truck involved or who has video of suspicious vehicle pickups in the area to come forward, which they say could help them track down any remaining stolen cars.
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