Australian Police Uncover Stolen Bitcoin ATMs, Trading Cards, and Firearms in Major Crime Bust

Australian authorities have made a significant breakthrough in a series of burglaries targeting cryptocurrency ATMs and collectible card stores in Melbourne. Police uncovered a trove of stolen goods, including six crypto ATMs, valuable trading cards worth tens of thousands of dollars, firearms, and even a pill press machine.

The police investigation, launched in mid-January, revealed a well-organized crime syndicate responsible for a string of commercial burglaries across the city. According to a statement from Victoria Police on February 17, the syndicate had been targeting both cryptocurrency ATMs and collector card retailers, pilfering items like Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic the Gathering cards.

A Staggering Cache of Stolen Goods

During the bust, investigators found not only the stolen crypto ATMs but also a range of other illicit items. Authorities discovered firearms, over 100 stolen car keys, power tools, and equipment associated with illegal activities. Police suspect that the group was using stolen cars to carry out their crimes, further compounding the scale of their operation.

In total, four men have been arrested in connection with the spree. One of the suspects faces serious charges, including 14 counts of burglary related to the theft of commercial cryptocurrency ATMs and game stores, handling stolen goods, and possessing firearms. He is scheduled to appear in court on May 2.

Another suspect has been charged with five commercial burglaries, multiple counts of vehicle theft, unlicensed driving, and possession of a prohibited weapon. He is due in court on February 21. The two remaining suspects were released pending further investigation.

Links to Larger Crime Syndicates

Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson of the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad believes that the arrested individuals may be part of a larger, more complex syndicate. Authorities suspect that Middle Eastern organized crime groups may be behind the network, orchestrating the criminal activities from behind the scenes.

“We have identified the primary offenders and believe they are connected to a broader syndicate,” said Watkinson. “The syndicate’s ties to organized crime are becoming clearer, and we are working to track down those supplying the stolen goods.”

Australia's Growing Role in Crypto ATM Market

The thefts come amid a sharp rise in the popularity of cryptocurrency ATMs across Australia. According to data from Coin ATM Radar, the country now ranks as the third-largest hub for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency ATMs globally, with 1,462 ATMs in operation. This is a stark contrast to the 67 ATMs operating in the country as of August 2022.

The growing market for crypto ATMs has attracted significant investment, with providers such as Coinflip, Localcoin, and Cryptolink leading the charge. Despite the boom in Australia, the United States still leads the world by a wide margin, hosting over 29,700 crypto ATMs, or roughly 80% of the global market.

A Dangerous Trend

The rise of crypto ATMs has also brought with it an increase in criminal activity targeting these machines. The police's discovery of six stolen ATMs highlights vulnerabilities in the expanding market, while the theft of valuable trading cards underscores the syndicate's broader range of criminal interests.

Authorities have vowed to continue their investigation and disrupt the operations of the criminal network, as they work to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.

With the increasing use of cryptocurrency ATMs and the growing trend of collecting trading cards, experts warn that these incidents may only be the beginning of a wider wave of targeted crimes.