Austrian, Dutch and German law enforcement authorities, together with Europol, have identified and arrested four individuals believed to be responsible for explosive attacks on cash machines in Austria. Two individuals suspected of having blown up ATMs with solid explosives were taken into custody in Austria along with two individuals suspected of aiding them. In Germany, several alleged facilitators were identified. Raids were performed simultaneously in all three countries, with twelve premises such as garages and the suspects’ homes in Germany and the Netherlands being searched. Law enforcement seized EUR 16 500 in cash, two explosive devices, a high-powered getaway vehicle of German make as well as a scooter and two further vehicles used for logistics.
In total, the action day on 19 August 2025 led to the following results:
- Four arrests in Austria
- Two cars, explosive devices, mobile phones and further evidence seized in Austria
- Mobile phones and further evidence seized in Germany
- Two cars, ammunition, EUR 16 500 in cash, GPS trackers and further evidence seized in the Netherlands
After a series of ATM attacks in Austria earlier this year, Austrian investigators with the support of Europol collaborated with their colleagues in Germany and the Netherlands to close in on the suspected robbers. Intense investigative efforts revealed that the main suspects were Dutch nationals from the Brabant area, who were well organised and had ties to other criminal groups active in Austria earlier this year.
Investigators could also determine that the latest ATM attack by the highly sophisticated group was carried out with the help of a German national, who allegedly brought in facilitators for renting cars and other logistical support. It is believed that the cross-border collaboration between Dutch and German suspects was led by the Dutch suspects.
Considerable damage and dangerous getaways
The investigation showed that some of the suspects were present in Austria weeks before the robberies, scoping out potential attack locations. Cash machine robbers typically scout for suitable attack sites online and on-site. Preferably, they target easily accessible cash machines with comparatively modest security measures and convenient getaway options. Once an attack location has been chosen, the robbers typically strike during the night and rig the cash machines with solid explosives, made of flash powder sourced from heavy pyrotechnics. Activated from a short distance, the blasts often not only destroy the ATMs but also devastate the surrounding area.
As cash machines are often located in residential areas, these attacks can cause serious harm to buildings and their residents. Upon blasting open a machine, sometimes with a second charge, the robbers grab the accessible cash and use high-powered vehicles to flee the scene at high speed. This unscrupulous approach and the extreme risks taken by the perpetrators both at the crime scene and during the escape makes their takedown a priority for law enforcement.
Europol’s support to national investigators
As reported before, this criminal phenomenon has spread and moved across several EU countries in recent years. With law enforcement and financial institutions teaming up to increase ATM safety features in heavily affected areas, highly specialised criminal groups are forced to travel long distances to perform attacks on easier targets. Some proven remedies include carefully considered ATM locations, restricting access to indoor machines at nighttime alongside elevated break-in technology, glue or dye packs in cash containers, stronger mechanical protection measures as well as smaller stored cash amounts.
Another effective remedy is constant pressure from law enforcement, which is why agencies from across the EU are continuously expanding their cross-border collaboration. An Operational Taskforce was set up at Europol, bringing together investigators from several affected Member States. This allowed Europol’s experts on organised property crime to support their colleagues from Austria, Germany and the Netherlands in forming an intelligence picture and preparing the coordinated strike.
Participating countries:
- Austria: Federal Criminal Intelligence Service (Bundeskriminalamt); Provincial Criminal Intelligence Service Lower Austria (Landeskriminalamt Niederösterreich); Provincial Criminal Intelligence Service Upper Austria (Landeskriminalamt Oberösterreich)
- Germany: Federal Criminal Police Office (Bundeskriminalamt); Düsseldorf Police (Polizeipräsidium Düsseldorf)
- Netherlands: District Investigation Department ‘s-Hertogenbosch (Districtsrecherche ‘s-Hertogenbosch)
