Ángel Gaitán, an experienced Spanish mechanic and TikTok star in his spare time, is no stranger to unusual finds. He regularly shares his favourite nuggets on social networks. But one of his latest finds struck us as important enough to merit an article. Because yes, second-hand vehicles can be dangerous, and we think it’s important to let you know! As you may have gathered from the headline, Ángel Gaitán recently foiled a devious surveillance scheme in a customer’s van. We tell you all about it.
He finds surveillance equipment in a customer’s vehicle
José Parada, a Sevillian who had already entrusted his BMW to Gaitán for an overhaul, was back at the mechanic’s with a new acquisition: a van he’d picked up at a second-hand car dealership. Keen to ensure that his new car was in impeccable condition, José sought out Gaitán’s sharp eye. After all, when you’re waiting a month for your car to be delivered, you’ve got to inspect it with the utmost attention to detail.
Without missing a beat, Ángel Gaitán set to work. A thorough examination of the vehicle revealed a major impact at the rear, a significant damage that the seller had neglected to mention. But the real surprise was far from the crumpled metal sheets: Gaitán found a device hidden in the van’s dashboard.
This apparently harmless module turned out to be a tracker, a relatively sophisticated surveillance device. At least, that’s what the mecha star explains on his TikTok account. More specifically, the device permanently recorded the vehicle’s GPS position, enabling remote diagnosis and offering the possibility of observing and erasing car faults.
“Someone knows where you’re moving and everything you’re doing”, Gaitán warned, urging José to disconnect and remove the device immediately to avoid any unwanted surveillance. While this technology may prove useful in certain contexts, it raises major concerns about privacy and vehicle control.
Lesson learned: extra vigilance for second-hand vehicles
Now, we’re not telling you this little anecdote for nothing. Our aim is to warn. When you buy a used car, remember to have it thoroughly examined. If possible, ask for one before you even check out. Most buyers overlook a host of crucial details affecting both safety and confidentiality. Some sellers are quite unscrupulous, so be careful! And if you know a mechanic as nice and attentive as Ángel Gaitán, give him a job!
As well as warning against these surveillance devices, Gaitán took advantage of his little vertical video to offer some valuable advice to future second-hand car buyers:
- Calling in a trusted mechanic for a full inspection before any purchase is essential.
- Similarly, investigating the vehicle’s history, including previous accidents, can reveal important information that sellers may overlook.
- Finally, it is essential to remain vigilant for any unknown or suspect electronic components installed in the vehicle.
Don’t hesitate to share this article with others to raise awareness of this type of practice!
