Daring ATM Heist: 100 Thieves, 3 Hours, $13M

It happened in 7-Elevens all around Japan
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted May 23, 2016 2:33 PM CDT
Daring ATM Heist: 100 Thieves, 3 Hours, $13M
Mass withdrawals at Japan's 7-Elevens.   (Shutterstock)

A purported organized-crime incident in Japan put the emphasis on "organized" in a crime that RT.com is labeling "Ocean's 100." Cops believe that more than 100 thieves took part in a spree in Tokyo and 16 other prefectures on May 15, cleaning out 7-Eleven ATMS of nearly $13 million in less than three hours, the Guardian reports. Just after 5am that day, the mass withdrawals started, with the meticulous money-nabbers making a total of 14,000 or so transactions, each one reaping about $915 (the maximum allowed per ATM), before wrapping things up right before 8am.

Investigators think the suspects, believed to be part of an international gang, were able to access customer accounts by using fake credit cards with account details stolen from a South Africa bank. No suspects have been caught, and officials fear they may have all fled the country. (A $1 billion bank heist was thwarted by a typo.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X