A highly coordinated police operation in Melbourne has dismantled an organized crime syndicate responsible for a series of crypto ATM thefts and trading card burglaries, revealing the growing intersection of digital assets and criminal activity.
Authorities arrested four individuals accused of stealing six cryptocurrency ATMs and burglarizing multiple collector card stores since mid-January. The group allegedly targeted businesses in Hoppers Crossing, Bentleigh, Brunswick, Werribee, and Vermont, removing Bitcoin ATMs that facilitate cash-to-crypto transactions. Meanwhile, they also raided collector stores in Epping, Moonee Ponds, and Eumemmerring, looting an estimated AU$50,000 in rare trading cards.
Crypto ATMs: A Rising Target
Australia has emerged as the world’s third-largest crypto ATM market, with installations growing 17-fold since 2022, according to TRM Labs. However, law enforcement agencies warn that the rise of these machines has also attracted criminal activity. Research from TRM Labs suggests that illicit transactions account for 1.2% of crypto ATM activity, nearly double the rate of illicit use across the broader crypto ecosystem.
The anonymity and instant cash conversion offered by these machines make them prime targets for organized crime, especially as crypto adoption continues to surge in Australia. Just last year, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized AU$6.4 million in illicit digital assets linked to organized crime.
Australia’s Growing Crypto Landscape
Australia’s crypto adoption rate is soaring, and the country is witnessing increasing regulatory oversight. Just last month, Alchemy Pay secured AUSTRAC approval to operate as a digital currency exchange provider, further integrating crypto into Australia’s financial infrastructure. Additionally, Australia recently launched its first spot Bitcoin ETF, reflecting a mainstream embrace of digital assets.
However, as crypto gains legitimacy, it also attracts criminal exploitation, as seen in this latest crime ring. Authorities remain vigilant, with law enforcement agencies urging businesses to increase security measures for crypto ATMs.
With the rise of digital assets in Australia, law enforcement agencies anticipate further incidents of crypto-related crimes. While this bust represents a major victory, authorities emphasize that the fight is far from over. Detective Watkinson warned crime syndicates that their “luck will eventually run out.”
