Melbourne ATM heist targets crypto and cards by criminals

Australian police have dismantled an organised crime syndicate allegedly involved in commercial burglaries targeting crypto ATMs and collector cards in Melbourne.

Four individuals were arrested in connection to the crime spree.

The group is accused of stealing six cryptocurrency ATMs and approximately $50,000 worth of collector cards since mid-January.

The stolen items included Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic the Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL, and NBA cards.

Authorities also uncovered firearms, around 100 car keys, a pill press machine, and power tools.

Police believe the group used stolen cars to commit the burglaries.

One of the arrested men has been charged with 14 counts of burglary of commercial cryptocurrency ATMs and game stores, as well as handling stolen goods and possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms.

Another man faces charges for five commercial burglaries, theft of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, and possessing a prohibited weapon.

Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad stated that authorities believe the gang might be connected to larger syndicates, including Middle Eastern Organised Crime Syndicates.

The Sidney Morning Herald reported that criminals burglarised a dozen shops over the past half a year, stealing some $1 million in trading cards and other stock.

Australia has become the third-largest hub for Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) ATMs, with over 1,462 ATMs operating in the country.

Leading crypto ATM providers in Australia include Coinflip, Localcoin, and Cryptolink.

The US has the most Bitcoin ATMs, with 29,740 machines representing 80% of the global market.