YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — Australian police have arrested four men accused of stealing six Bitcoin ATMs and $50,000 worth of trading cards in Melbourne. According to a Feb. 17 statement from Victoria Police, the crime syndicate targeted cryptocurrency ATMs, gaming stores, and commercial properties since mid-January.
The syndicate allegedly carried out these burglaries across multiple locations, including Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee, and Vermont. Police also linked the group to thefts at collector card stores in Epping, Moonee Ponds, and Eumemmerring.
Authorities seized a large collection of stolen items, including firearms, 100 car keys, a pill press machine, and power tools. The recovered trading cards featured Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic: The Gathering collectibles.
Additional stolen trading cards included Disney Lorcana, Dragon Ball Z, AFL, and NBA collectibles, adding to the total value of the stolen goods.
Suspects Face Charges for Heists
Four men were taken into custody. One suspect faces 14 charges of burglary, including theft from commercial cryptocurrency ATMs and gaming stores. He is also accused of handling stolen goods and possessing firearms. His court date is set for May 2.
Another suspect was charged with five commercial burglaries, vehicle theft, unlicensed driving, and possession of a prohibited weapon. He will appear in court on Feb. 21. Two other suspects were released while investigations continue.
Authorities believe the group used stolen vehicles to commit the crimes. Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson stated that police have identified both “lesser offenders supplying stolen goods” and Middle Eastern Organised Crime Syndicates involved in the operation.
Australia’s Crypto ATM Market Grows Despite Crime Risks
Australia has seen a rise in crypto ATMs, with 313 Bitcoin ATMs operating in Victoria, where the thefts occurred. The industry has grown significantly since 2022, when private firms increased installations across the country.
As of 2024, Australia has 1,462 Bitcoin ATMs, making it the third-largest market for cryptocurrency ATMs. The largest providers in the country include Coinflip, which operates 679 ATMs, followed by Localcoin with 543 ATMs, and Cryptolink with 98 ATMs.
Global Crypto ATM Market Still Dominated by the US
The United States remains the largest market for Bitcoin ATMs, with 29,740 machines, representing 80% of the global total. Canada ranks second with 3,074 ATMs, holding an 8.3% share.
Investigators continue to track the syndicate’s operations and connections to organized crime groups while working to prevent further Bitcoin ATM theft in Australia.
