One of basketball’s greatest stars is now entangled in an unorthodox theft case after his customized vehicle disappeared during transit. Former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal says his bespoke Range Rover, valued at approximately $180,000, vanished while being transported by a moving company. According to reports, authorities believe a sophisticated data hack may have helped thieves intercept the vehicle.
Custom Ride, Compromised Transit
The vehicle, a black 2025 Range Rover modified to accommodate O’Neal’s 7-foot-1 frame, was being shipped from Georgia to Louisiana by a third-party logistics operation. The vehicle reportedly never arrived at its destination, although a tow truck associated with the delivery company picked it up on Oct. 20. “Preliminary information suggests that an unauthorized individual or company may have taken possession of the vehicle under false pretenses,” the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office told one media outlet.
The transport firm, Effortless Motors, now offers a $10,000 reward for information leading to recovery. A company spokesperson said: “This was a highly coordinated criminal act targeting the transport company’s network. We are working closely with law enforcement and federal investigators.” Investigators say the tow truck in question bore Georgia license tag YIW241 and was linked to Griffin Wrecker Service LLC. The individual who arranged the pick-up had not been fully identified.
Security analysts say the case highlights how high-value vehicles in transit remain vulnerable to digital attacks. According to one report, thieves may have manipulated shipping data and delivery instructions to divert the car into unauthorized hands. O’Neal, who has spoken publicly about owning as many as 40 cars, says he is cooperating with investigators to ensure his prized ride is returned. The incident echoes past thefts in the industry in which rare and valuable vehicles vanished under similar circumstances.
The sheriff’s office emphasised the investigation remains active. “We will thoroughly examine the digital footprint, chain of custody and transport documentation,” officials said, emphasising evidence is still being collected. At this time no arrests have been made. For O’Neal, the case is more than a simple loss—it serves as a striking reminder of the convergence between cybercrime and physical theft in modern logistics.