Nine behind bars in connection with £700,000 cash machine thefts
The gang of thieves have received prison sentences totalling more than 25 years
Last updated 26th Mar 2026
A criminal gang who targeted cash machines across the country have been handed prison sentences totalling over 25 years.
The nine were part of a criminal network operating under the tagline of ‘F*** The Police’ and which stole £700,000 by bypassing ATM security systems.
Between February and December 2024, the gang was responsible for raids at 51 locations, under cover of darkness, throughout England and into Scotland.
The Romania-based gang operated out of Luton, and used lookouts to keep watch as they used complex devices to withdraw cash during more than 3,300 separate transactions.
The Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) led an investigation which culminated in arrests in December 2024, when they apprehended some of the suspects at Luton Airport as they tried to flee the country.
ERSOU then coordinated action with Romanian law enforcement, leading to more arrests in the Eastern European country.
Officers also seized luxury cars and raided a stronghold-style property where 'FTP' had been was carved into a front gate and emblazoned on the floor of a swimming pool.
Who's been jailed
Ionut Pogar, 32, of no fixed address ,was sentenced to three years and one month imprisonment for conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.
Silviu Alistar, 32, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the same offences and was sentenced to two years and three months.
The following co-defendants were previously sentenced last year, after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money:
- Alex Munteanu, 38, of no fixed address - sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment.
- Constantin Boghiu, 25, of Kimpton Road, Luton - sentenced to three years and three months.
- Alex Militaru, 25, of High Street Watton, Thetford - jailed for two years and five months.
- Marius Chifan, 34, of St Catherines Avenue, Luton - sentenced to three years and three months.
- Gabriel Rosu, 33, of Flowers Way Luton - sentenced to three and a half years' imprisonment.
- Cristian Cimpoesu, 28, of no fixed address - sentenced to 18 months.
- Razvan Verde, 31, of no fixed address (he also admitted a further charge of possession of articles for use in fraud) was sentenced to four years and four months.
ERSOU's Detective Inspector Dan Barker said: “Their offending was persistent, coordinated, and carried out on an almost industrial scale.
“During our investigation, officers also recovered a cash machine the offenders had purchased from China, with clear indications new technology was being developed for further offending - illustrating the lengths these criminals were prepared to go to commit crime and evade detection.”