Reply #43: It may be just commerce, not conspiracy

[Ellen Forradalom]

"How much would these cars cost to ship overseas? I imagine that freight on a car would be fairly high, not to mention risks with customs, which would increase the price."

I don't know. But it might be less than we think. Things get shipped all over the place.

"What's the point of a costly stolen car when one can be had locally for a lot less? "

Maybe both happen. It's entirely possible it goes something like this:

Car stolen in U.S. by specialized ring; or sold to ring;
Driven to departure port;
Joins transport to somewhere in Middle East;
Changes hands through brokers until at final destination;
Sold to someone who wants nice car, has cash, won't pay retail, doesn't need 50,000 mile warranty;
Car stolen locally from that person;
Rigged with bomb;
Blown up.


"The only upside in this type of trade I can see is if these are luxury cars being stolen and sold in a foreign market for less than the same car would cost locally."

That's the trade I've heard of. The news report cited an SUV. Not a Mercedes but not a 1982 rusted-out Toyotoa Corolla, either.

All I'm saying is don't rush to attribute to conspiracy what is best explained by commerce.