Effortless Motors, the dealership that sold Shaquille O’Neal his custom 2025 Range Rover, has offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the vehicle’s recovery, shedding new light on the theft that has puzzled investigators.
The company confirmed it was the authorized seller and had arranged transport of the SUV through a verified third-party shipping firm. However, the dealership said the transport company’s internal systems were compromised, leading to the vehicle being unlawfully taken in transit.
“Effortless Motors was the authorized selling dealership and arranged transport through a third-party company that appeared fully verified. Upon the vehicle’s scheduled delivery, it was discovered that the company’s internal systems had been compromised and hijacked, resulting in the car being unlawfully taken during transit,” the company said in a statement.
A spokesperson added, “We take the security and trust of our clients very seriously. This was a highly coordinated criminal act targeting the transport company’s network. We are working closely with law enforcement and federal investigators to recover the vehicle and hold those responsible accountable.”
According to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office in Georgia, the report of the missing Range Rover came in on Wednesday. The luxury SUV, customized to fit O’Neal’s 7’1″ frame, had been undergoing extensive modification work at a shop in Dahlonega before it was scheduled for transport to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Authorities believe an individual or group may have impersonated the legitimate shipping company to steal the vehicle. “Preliminary information suggests that an unauthorized individual or company may have taken possession of the vehicle under false pretenses,” the sheriff’s office said.
Investigators discovered that a tow truck registered to Griffin Wrecker Service LLC, with Georgia tag YIW241, was used to transport the car to an address in Atlanta. The person believed to have arranged the pickup has not yet been identified. No arrests have been made, and the investigation remains ongoing.
The theft comes after other high-profile incidents involving stolen property from celebrities. Among them, celebrity chef Guy Fieri recently had thousands of tequila bottles stolen in a similar scheme, highlighted in a recent 60 Minutes segment.
The New York Post first reported the story of O’Neal’s missing vehicle.
