Bluetooth trackers, which are commonly used to find lost keys or personal belongings, are gaining popularity among criminals, according to a report by Europol, the police service of the European Union. Europol has warned that Bluetooth technology has proven to be an extremely effective tool for monitoring smuggling activities.
These trackers emit a signal that can be captured by mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets. The devices display the exact coordinates of the Bluetooth tags, with a typical range of 10 to 120 meters. Manufacturers use crowdsourcing technology to expand this range, as any nearby mobile devices of the same brand can capture the signal and transmit information about its source to the owner.
Europol has revealed that criminals primarily use Bluetooth trackers for transporting drugs. The devices have also been used in the search for cars involved in criminal operations, as well as tracking ships involved in the illegal transportation of migrants.
“The majority of cases are related to the smuggling of large quantities of cocaine. These trackers were used to locate shipments weighing over 100 kg, after they were delivered to ports and markets across the EU,” stated Europol.
The Bluetooth tags were often found along with cocaine, and they were commonly concealed in boxes of food. In some instances, criminals disguised the trackers in ship holds or European warehouses.
While Bluetooth trackers are unlikely to be used over long distances, such as in the open sea, due to their limited range, they are still advantageous due to their affordability, smaller size, longer battery life (up to 1-2 years), and waterproof capabilities. For longer distances, navigation systems based on GPS are more suitable, but the combined use of GPS and Bluetooth is also possible.