Explosive ATM Heist Shakes Kronberg
On March 23, 2023, Kronberg, Germany, experienced a shocking ATM explosion under a residential building. The blast forced an emergency evacuation of residents and caused severe structural damage. Eyewitnesses reported suspects dressed in dark clothing fleeing the scene in a black car.
The robbers escaped with 130,000 euros, while property damage was estimated at 500,000 euros. The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) confirmed these figures.
Rise of ATM Bombings in Germany
Criminal gangs across Europe are shifting from traditional bank heists to ATM bombings, seeking easier and less risky targets. Germany, Europe’s largest economy, has seen a surge in these crimes, with over one incident daily in recent years. Given Germany’s high cash usage, these crimes offer large potential payouts.
Europol has intensified efforts to curb this trend, coordinating cross-border actions against criminal networks. Recent joint operations by German, French, and Dutch authorities led to the arrest of three key suspects tied to explosive ATM heists. The suspects allegedly stole millions of euros while causing similar amounts in property damage since 2022.
The gang operated from hideouts in France, using rental cars to avoid detection. Law enforcement agencies from the three countries also searched rental firms linked to the suspects. Europol revealed that criminals typically use solid explosives, often sourced from fireworks, to blow up ATMs. This approach causes extensive damage, with 2023 alone seeing 28.4 million euros in collateral damage from ATM bombings in Germany.
Many of these gangs operate out of the Netherlands and employ high-speed escape tactics in powerful cars. They frequently target ATMs in quieter residential areas, where the risk of detection is lower. However, this practice endangers residents and can lead to severe structural damage, shattered windows, and, in some cases, fatalities.
One tragic incident occurred on November 11, 2023, in Wiernsheim, Germany. A robbery-turned-chase ended with suspects driving against traffic on the A6 motorway. Their car collided head-on with a van, seriously injuring the driver and causing the death of the passenger days later. The driver of the suspect vehicle was arrested and later sentenced to life in prison.
Germany’s Battle Against ATM Crime
Germany has become a prime target for ATM bombings, driven by its high reliance on cash. The country’s 83.3 million residents have access to over 51,000 ATMs, significantly more than the Netherlands’ 5,000. Most Germans live within one kilometer of an ATM, as noted by the Bundesbank.
While cash usage declined in some countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, Germany’s reliance on cash remained strong. In 2023, 50% of all payments in Germany were made in cash. Many Germans value cash for its privacy and control over personal finances. Older generations, in particular, prefer cash, with a 2016 Bundesbank study linking this preference to historical experiences.
Germany’s geographic location also makes it a prime target for cross-border criminals. Its proximity to the Netherlands and a motorway network with sections lacking speed limits facilitate quick getaways. As the Netherlands adopted security measures like glue systems that render stolen cash useless, Dutch criminals have increasingly targeted German ATMs.
ATM bombings in Germany have been on the rise since 2005. The BKA reported 461 ATM heists in 2023, the second-highest figure on record, despite a slight drop from 2022. Seasonal trends show fewer heists during summer, likely due to longer daylight hours, which increase the risk of detection. Most heists occur on weekdays between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., according to the BKA.
A spokesperson for the German Banking Industry Committee noted that Germany’s extensive ATM network has attracted organized crime groups from abroad. The availability of numerous ATMs and Germany’s preference for cash make the country an appealing target.
To combat this threat, German banks have invested over 300 million euros in security measures. These include alarm systems, reinforced locks, and ink-staining technology to protect cash. However, the widely used glue systems in the Netherlands are not yet permitted in Germany. Efforts to enhance cooperation between banks and law enforcement have helped reduce the number of attacks. The BKA reported a “significant decline” in ATM bombings in early 2024.
In July 2024, Germany implemented stricter penalties for ATM robberies, raising the minimum prison sentence from one year to two. If bystanders’ health is endangered, perpetrators face five to fifteen years in prison. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser stressed the seriousness of these crimes, stating, “Anyone who blows up ATMs risks the lives of innocent people. We are dealing with unscrupulous criminals and highly dangerous explosives. These acts must therefore be punished more severely.”
