Geldautomatensprengungen - Sentences of over five years for Dutch criminals robbing ATMs in Germany

The Regional Court of Bamberg in Germany has sentenced fifteen members of a Dutch led organised crime group (OCG) that robbed a series of Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in Germany, causing massive damage. The OCG members have been served prison sentences of between one year and nine months and five years and eleven months for a series of violent robberies in southern Germany. Eurojust coordinated the investigations and judicial cooperation between the German and Dutch authorities.

broken atmBetween November 2021 and January 2023 the OCG members used severe violence to blast ATMs and crowbars to pry them open, stealing an estimated EUR 3.4 million. The damages inflicted on the buildings, teller machines, their infrastructure and the bank’s surroundings amounted to well over EUR 4 million.

The gang members often stole fast cars to carry out the heists in Germany, which usually took place at night in the regions of Bavaria and Baden-Württemberg, before speeding back to the Netherlands. In each attack the OCG managed to steal up to EUR 250 000 in cash. The gang was highly organised, with a clear division of tasks, ranging from organising logistics to blasting open the ATMs.

At the request of the German authorities, Eurojust supported the investigations since May 2022.  The Agency organised two coordination meetings between the authorities involved and facilitated a joint action day in early 2023. In total, sixteen suspects were arrested in the Netherlands between January and September 2023, who were later surrendered to Germany. The Agency also supported the procedures for the surrender of the suspects.

In total, an estimated hundred hauls on German ATMs took place. For thirty cases the suspects were charged. Following plea bargains with the German Public Prosecution Office, fifteen suspects have now been sentenced, two on probation. One defendant is still on trial.

The following authorities conducted and/or supported the investigations:

• Germany: Public Prosecution Office Bamberg; State Criminal Police Office of Bavaria and State Criminal Police Office of Baden-Württemberg
• The Netherlands: Public Prosecution Office Central Netherlands/Utrecht; National Police