Australian Police Uncover ‘Treasure Trove’ of Stolen Bitcoin ATMs and Firearms

Key Takeaways:

• Australian police dismantled a criminal operation linked to thefts from crypto ATMs and card stores.
• Authorities discovered what they dubbed an “Aladdin's cave” of valuables.
• Among the seized items were firearms, 100 car keys, a pill press, and power tools.

On February 17, Australian police took down a criminal gang that targets crypto ATMs and collector card stores across Melbourne. During the operation, authorities uncovered a massive stash of stolen goods, described as an “Aladdin’s cave” of valuables. 

Among the uncovered and seized items were firearms, a pill press machine, power tools, and over 100 stolen car keys, highlighting the scale of the syndicate’s criminal activities.

Australian Police Allege the Crime Group Used Stolen Cars for Commercial Burglary Operations

According to law enforcement statements on X, detectives from the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad revealed that the criminal network had conducted targeted attacks dating back to mid-January.

Police have dismantled an organised crime syndicate allegedly involved in a series of commercial burglaries targeting crypto ATMs and collector cards across Melbourne’s north west. pic.twitter.com/Y4jVw29XoH

— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) February 16, 2025

Authorities allege that the group stole six crypto ATMs from businesses located in Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee, and Vermont. In addition to the ATMs, they have also been accused of burglarizing three collectible card stores in Epping, Moonee Ponds, and Eumemmerring.

Investigators determined the offenders used stolen vehicles to execute these crimes, which complicated efforts to track their movements.

The stolen goods, which were described as an “Aladdin’s cave” of valuables, included approximately $50,000 worth of collectible trading cards, including Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic: The Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL, and NBA cards. 

Police also found five stolen firearms, ammunition, power tools, and other illicit items.

The investigation led police to uncovering an Aladdin’s cave of items, including approximately $50,000 worth of collectable trading cards, five alleged stolen firearms, approximately 100 alleged stolen car keys, ammunition, pill press machine and stolen power tools.

— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) February 16, 2025

Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson of the North West Metro Regional Crime Squad emphasized the scale of the operation. He highlighted that this was a highly organized crime network and credited the vigilance of the trading card community and industry partners for aiding the investigation. 

Four individuals have already been arrested, including two alleged primary offenders. 

Law enforcement has made significant progress in the case, with four arrests thus far. A 37-year-old man faces an extensive list of charges from their Reservoir residence. 

Police have charged him with 14 counts of burglary related to commercial crypto ATMs and gaming stores. He also faces charges of possessing a trafficable quantity of firearms. 

Additional counts include handling stolen goods and various weapons offenses. He remains in custody, awaiting a May 2 court appearance at Melbourne Magistrates' Court.

Four people have been arrested in total, which includes the two alleged primary offenders, a 37-year-old man from Reservoir and a 32-year-old man from Epping.

Two other men, a 33-year-old and a 46-year-old both from Reservoir were released pending further investigation.

— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) February 16, 2025

The second arrest targeted a 32-year-old Epping resident. His charges are equally substantial. Five commercial burglaries. Three counts of motor vehicle theft. One count of unlicensed driving. Police also discovered methamphetamine and a prohibited weapon in his possession. He will face the court on February 21.

Police continue investigating the broader network, hoping to uncover additional connections to other crimes.

Concerns about Bitcoin ATMs continue to mount, with a troubling increase in scams making headlines. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently documented a dramatic rise in Bitcoin ATM-related frauds, with consumers losing an alarming $65 million in the first half of 2024 alone. This represents a nearly tenfold increase in reported losses since 2020, underscoring the escalating nature of the problem.