Australian authorities arrest group for stealing crypto ATMs and trading cards.

An organized crime syndicate has been seized by police in Australia after it was accused of stealing from six crypto ATMs and robbering collectible card stores in Melbourne’s northwest, allegedly stealing about 50, 000 AUD ($ 31, 800 ) in trading cards and stealing several firearms.

In a Monday see, Victoria Police’s North West Metro Regional Crime Squad said it had arrested four individuals over the last week, uncovering what they called an” Aladdin’s bunker” of stolen goods including Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic the Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL and NBA trading cards.

The event emerges as Australia has become the world’s third-largest bitcoin ATM industry, with installations increasing 17-fold since 2022, according to statistics from TRM Labs.

The cash-to-crypto industry has processed at least$ 160 million in illegal levels since 2019, despite the United States also having about 32, 000 of them, according to studies from TRM Labs.

Notably, the rate of illicit activity from crypto ATMs ( 1.2 % ) is double that of the overall crypto ecosystem ( 0.63 % ).

The group reportedly focused Banks from companies in Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee and Vermont, and even burglarizing collectable card shops in Epping, Moonee Ponds and Eumemmerring since mid-January.

Authorities executed permits across Reservoir, Coburg North, Greensborough and South Morang, seizing five alleged stolen weapon, nearly 100 alleged stolen car keys, weapons, and a supplement press system.

Multiple charges are brought against the two main suspects. A 37-year-old Reservoir man was charged with 14 counts of burglary and firearm offenses, while a 32-year-old Epping man faces charges including commercial burglaries, vehicle theft, and methamphetamine possession.

According to Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson, the operation was helped by” the vigilant behavior of the affected trading card community and the unmatched support from industry partners.”

Police identified connections to Middle Eastern organized crime organizations that allegedly facilitated the arrest of offenders. Two additional suspects, aged 33 and 46, were released pending further investigation.

” Paying others to do your dirty work won’t keep you hidden”, Watkinson warned.