In the deconstruction of a criminal organization, whose members committed ATM burglaries. of banks in various regions of Greece, using a cutting wheel and explosives, led the methodical investigation of the Sub-Directorate for the Prosecution of Crimes Against Life and Property of the Attica Security Directorate.

Three people, members of the criminal organization, aged 26, 27 and 28, were arrested for the case. In fact, one of them is a well-known trapper.

while a case file was filed against them – as the case may be – for criminal organization, distinguished thefts and attempts by them as accomplices and as a result, explosions, offenses related to explosives and weapons, forgery, damage to foreign property and money laundering from criminal activities.

When did their action begin?

As it emerged from the investigations, those arrested, at least since February 2023, had set up and joined a criminal organization and with a different composition each time, they stole vehicles, which they used to go to provincial towns, where with the use of a cutting wheel of metals and solid explosives broke into ATMs. in order to obtain significant financial benefits.

The professional infrastructure of the organization is demonstrated by the special training of its members in the use of explosive materials, as well as by the methodology they used.

Specifically, the members of the organization were locating ATMs. of the old type, established mainly in remote areas and in places outside bank branches, which are usually stocked with larger sums of money.

These are people with special expertise in the method of explosions, who showed particular diligence in choosing the place and time they acted, regardless of the risk to the physical integrity or even the lives of the workers guarding the premises where the ATMs were installed.

All members of the criminal organization lived provocatively luxurious lives, which they displayed at every opportunity both in their daily interactions and on social media, while “laundering” their ill-gotten gains by spending exorbitant amounts through the music industry or through gambling in casinos.

How did they act?

For their approach and escape from the site, they used “operational” vehicles of large displacement which they removed from the surrounding areas, while afterwards, they breached the machinery, using a metal cutting wheel and, causing an explosion with solid explosives, gained access to the money safes which were removed as such or only the amount of money they contained.

The explosions, in fact, caused great damage to areas near the ATMs, while there was a risk to the physical integrity or even the lives of the workers guarding the areas where the machines were placed.

To avoid identification and arrest, the members of the organization took special precautions, wearing white hooded work uniforms when carrying out the acts, and then setting fire to the vehicles they were using or putting fake license plates on them.

For the free channeling in the market, of the sums of money they removed, they used the method of “laundering” through games of chance in casinos as well as through the area of ​​the music industry, in which one of the members was active.

From the investigations so far, 10 cases of ATM explosions have been solved. in Evia, Boeotia, Messinia, Ilia, Achaia, Preveza and Aitoloakarnania, as well as 7 vehicle thefts, while the illegal financial benefit of the organization is estimated at 710,000 euros.

The operation to end the criminal activity of the members of the organization took place on Saturday, December 2, 2023, in the area of ​​Kamateros, and after they had carried out yet another ATM burglary. in the area of ​​Ermioni Argolida, deducting the amount of 198,515 euros.

In particular, in the morning hours of Saturday, the members of the organization, having as a starting point a house in the area of ​​Kamateros, removed a vehicle from the area of ​​Nafplio with which they went to the area of ​​Ermioni Argolida, where they broke into an ATM. deducting the amount of 198,515 euros and escaped, abandoning this vehicle on their way.

What did the investigations find?

The members of the organization were spotted by the police when they tried to enter the base and were arrested, while in total from physical searches and searches of vehicles, houses and at the base the following were found and confiscated:

  • -206,570- euros, in 20 and 50 euro banknotes,
  • -1- kilogram and -518- grams of explosive material,
  • M16 assault rifle,
  • pistol,
  • cartridges,
  • -4- detonators,
  • fire rope,
  • vehicle removal equipment,
  • metal cutting wheel,
  • burglary tools, spray paint,
  • clothing, head lenses,
  • mobiles and
  • vehicle keys.

At the same time, during the investigations, a relative of one of the perpetrators was arrested, for violating the law on weapons, since inside his house, which was often visited by the perpetrator in question, -5- pistols and a number of cartridges were found and confiscated.

Those arrested were taken to the competent prosecutor’s office, while the investigations for the complete clarification of their criminal activity and the investigation of more cases that may be involved, continue.