Europol announced a major operation that dismantled a criminal syndicate responsible for €580,000 in ATM fraud across Europe. The investigation, led by authorities in Spain, Germany, and Romania, resulted in the arrest of 12 suspects, including a key organizer identified as a 34-year-old Romanian national. The syndicate allegedly used sophisticated techniques, such as installing skimming devices on ATMs in 15 cities across the European Union, to steal card data and withdraw cash. Police seized 28 skimming devices, 45 cloned bank cards, and €120,000 in cash during coordinated raids on July 23, 2025. The operation involved over 80 law enforcement officers and included searches of 19 locations, uncovering additional evidence like laptops and mobile phones used to manage the network. The fraud targeted banks in Spain, Germany, France, and Italy, with losses estimated at €400,000 from Spain alone. Europol highlighted that the group operated for 18 months, affecting approximately 2,300 victims. The investigation began after a spike in reported ATM thefts in Madrid in January 2025, leading to international cooperation under the EU’s Joint Action Days initiative. No trials have concluded as of July 24, 2025, but authorities plan to pursue extradition for two suspects currently abroad. The operation underscores ongoing efforts to combat financial crime across the EU.
34news.online
34news.online
