Police in Australia have dismantled an organized crime syndicate accused of stealing from six crypto ATMs and raiding collectible card stores across Melbourne's northwest, seizing approximately 50,000 AUD ($31,800) in trading cards and multiple firearms.
The North West Metro Regional Crime Squad of Victoria Police announced on Monday that it arrested four individuals over the past week. They called this an “unprecedented” crime. "Aladdin's cave" of stolen items including Pokémon, Disney Lorcana, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic the Gathering, Dragon Ball Z, AFL and NBA trading cards.
The case emerges as Australia has become the world's third-largest crypto ATM market, with installations increasing 17-fold since 2022, according to data from TRM Labs.
Although the U.S. Bitcoin and crypto ATMs numbering almost 32,000—the cash-to-crypto industry has processed at least $160 million in illicit volumes since 2019, according to research from TRM Labs.
The police have taken down an organized crime group allegedly responsible for a number of burglaries targeting collector cards and crypto ATMs in Melbourne’s North West. pic.twitter.com/Y4jVw29XoH
— Victoria Police (@VictoriaPolice) February 16, 2025
The rate of illegal activity in the crypto-ecosystem (0.63%) is half that of crypto ATMs (1,2%).
Since mid-January, the group has reportedly targeted ATMs in Hoppers Crossing and Bentleigh as well as businesses in Werribee, Vermont, Werribee, and Brunswick. They have also reportedly burglarized collectible card shops in Epping and Moonee Ponds, and in Eumemmerring.
In Reservoir North, Coburg North and South Morang police served warrants and confiscated five firearms that were reported stolen, around 100 alleged car keys stolen, ammunition and a tablet press machine.
Both suspects have multiple charges. A Reservoir, 37-year old man, was charged with fourteen counts of firearm and burglary offenses. Meanwhile, a Epping, 32-year-old man, faces multiple charges, including vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and possession of methamphetamine.
The operation, according to Detective Inspector Patrick Watkinson, was a success. "the vigilance of the affected trading card community and the invaluable support from industry partners."
Police have identified connections with Middle Eastern organized crime groups that are alleged to have directed the arrested offenders. The police released two additional suspects aged 46 and 33.
"Paying others to do your dirty work won't keep you hidden," Watkinson has warned.