Four people in Melbourne have been arrested for their ties to a criminal group that attacked crypto ATMs and shops that sell collector cards. The operation found and seized a large number of stolen items. These included trading cards worth over $50,000 and several guns.
In Melbourne, police found a large criminal group that had been stealing six cryptocurrency ATMs and collection cards worth tens of thousands of dollars since the middle of January. This group is thought to have broken into a number of businesses, including crypto ATMs and shops that sell collectible cards like Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, and Magic the Gathering.
Police discovered a stash of stolen goods. It included guns, about 100 car keys, a pill press machine, and other things. Investigators believe that these crimes took place in stolen cars.
Charges against one of the captured suspects include 14 counts of burglary, gun crimes, and handling stolen goods. Another suspect is facing multiple burglary charges, car theft charges, and drug possession charges. They are due to appear in court in the next few weeks.
Investigations continue. Police are trying to find links between this group and bigger crime networks. The government has made it clear that they want to break up these crime groups and that they are closely monitored.
The crackdown shows how worried people are about crime linked to the rise in crypto ATMs in Australia, a market that has grown very quickly in the past few years.
