ATMs No Longer Safe: Several Gangs Blast Their Way Through Austria
In the latest heist on Monday in Wels, unknown individuals cracked two machines in a shopping center. It could be a group that has not previously appeared, according to police sources.
ATM Explosions: At Least Five Groups Active Nationwide
At least one of the currently active groups is said to be a professionally structured gang from Holland, as investigators emphasize off the record. Which crime scenes can be attributed to that group is still open. Criminal investigators assume that "at least three groups are operating in Vienna alone and five to six nationwide," as stated by investigator circles familiar with the series to the APA. The investigators therefore do not rule out further explosions.
Already Twelve Crime Scenes This Year
A connection between individual acts "cannot be commented on due to ongoing intensive investigations," according to official sources from the Federal Criminal Office (BK). They are in close contact with the state criminal offices.
According to the Federal Criminal Office, since the beginning of the year, explosions have been counted at a total of twelve crime scenes in Vienna, Lower Austria, Burgenland, Salzburg, and Upper Austria. The highest number in the past six years was recorded by the investigators in 2018 - before the pandemic - with 21 acts.
Banks Take Security Measures
As the BK press office recently announced, it is a "known phenomenon occurring in waves" to the investigators. Currently, an increasing trend is noticeable. However, experts put this into perspective by referring to the situation in other EU countries. After all, "two to three explosions occur per day in Germany or Holland alone," as a senior officer told the APA.
The current series of explosions has already led to countermeasures by the banks. At the Post, some ATMs have been "taken out of operation until further notice," as a spokesperson recently confirmed an ORF report to the APA. At BAWAG, foyers remain closed between 10:00 PM and 5:00 AM. Other banks have also strengthened security measures.
(APA/Red)
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