SHARE
COPY LINK

OFFBEAT

€1 million swiped from ATMs using bent forks

French police are looking for a gang of thieves after it was revealed that €1 million in cash has been stolen from ATMs across France using a novel technique.

€1 million swiped from ATMs using bent forks
Photo: Pommes Fritz 123

Over the past few weeks, over several transactions, the thieves have managed to take €1 million by using a bent fork to jam open the cash distributor.

One source explained to local paper Le Parisien how they did it: “CCTV footage allowed us to figure out exactly what they were doing.

“After making one transaction with their bank cards they insert a small fork with the teeth bent back into the cash distributor.”

Then they make a second, much bigger withdrawal, which they cancel before the transaction is made. By then the cash is prepared in the distributor, which they pull out with the help of the fork.

Four arrests were made in connection to the theft in Le Havre at the beginning of this week. Police are looking for about 10 more gang members, all thought to originate from Romania.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

CRIME

France launches major anti-drug raids

French authorities launched Monday several new anti-drug raids across the country dubbed "XXL cleanup operations", Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said.

France launches major anti-drug raids

President Emmanuel Macron last Tuesday launched a major operation against the narcotics trade in Marseille and other French cities, saying that gangland battles that last year left dozens dead had made life a misery for residents.

“In Marseille and other cities in France, we have launched an unprecedented operation to put a stop to drug trafficking and ensure republican order,” Macron had written on X, formerly Twitter.

He said that operations would be launched in about 10 French cities, adding that it would be an “XXL” cleanup.

According to local authorities, 900 police and custom officers were deployed in Marseille and the Bouches-du-Rhone region on the first day the operation.

In the first three days, 22 kilogrammes of drugs, over €385,000 and four weapons were seized and 71 people placed in custody.

SHOW COMMENTS