Brothers convicted over cash machine theft scam targeting Leeds, Sheffield & Derbyshire

Two brothers have been convicted over a scheme where they fitted special devices to cash machines across the UK, in order to steal money.

Felix and Christian Urcaciu travelled to various locations across the UK, including Leeds, Sheffield and Derbyshire, to perpetrate the thefts.

Customers would attempted to withdraw cash as normal, only for their money to be redirected into a metallic wedge fitted into the ATM.

Most thought the machines were faulty and contacted their banks for refunds.

The brothers installed the devices in evenings and retrieved trapped cash the next morning.

Nottinghamshire Police commenced investigating the scheme in summer 2023 after machines in Sneinton, Chilwell, and Bramote were targeted.

Felix’s use of his own bank card for balance inquiries led detectives to link two vehicles to the offences.

A search warrant at Christian's Barnsley address uncovered an improvised workshop producing the devices.

Christian, 37, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and concealing criminal property on the day of his trial.

Felix, 33, was found guilty in absentia of conspiracy to steal, concealing, and possessing criminal property.

Charges against two female defendants were dismissed after Christian’s plea.

Both men await sentencing at Nottingham Crown Court on June 26.

Investigator Jodie Mottishaw of Nottinghamshire Police said:

"These men were engaged in a cynical and sophisticated conspiracy at hundreds of locations across the East Midlands, and wider UK.

"What they were doing was utterly brazen and showed a total disregard for what we believe to be hundreds of people whose cash they stole.

"I know many victims would have been extremely upset at the prospect of losing significant sums of money in this way — even if that money was later refunded.

"I am pleased this case has now concluded and look forward to the sentencing."

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