Melbourne Police Arrest Four Suspects in Crypto ATM Theft Investigation
The Melbourne Police have dismantled a gang involved in multiple burglaries linked to crypto ATMs. Four suspects were arrested, and stolen goods including firearms and collector cards were recovered.
Details of the Criminal Activities
- Gang accused of stealing six crypto ATMs across various locations in Melbourne
- Thefts occurred at Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee, and Vermont
- Suspected of robbing collector card stores since mid-January
- Stolen items include trading cards valued at $50,000
- Police recovered five firearms, 100 car keys, ammunition, and a pill press machine during searches
- Key suspects face multiple charges and court appearances scheduled for May 2 and February 21
Increasing Crypto-Related Crimes
- Physical thefts from crypto ATMs are rare, but digital asset crimes are rising
- In 2024, losses due to Bitcoin ATM scams reached $65 million, up from $12 million in 2020
- Data breaches affecting crypto ATM firms have exposed personal information of thousands of users