Brothers convicted after stealing from ATMs across East Midlands
Two brothers have been convicted after stealing money from ATMs across the UK - including in the East Midlands.
Two brothers have been convicted after using cash-trapping devices to steal money from ATMs across the UK - including in the East Midlands.
In 2023, Felix and Christian Urcaciu fitted specially-constructed devices in the cash dispensers so when people came to withdraw money, it would be diverted into the device instead.
Assuming a fault with the machines, the victims contacted their banks and were usually refunded.
Between May and August 2023, the pair repeated the scam at multiple locations including Nottinghamshire, Leeds, Leiceister, Sheffield, Wakefield, Derbyshire, and Scotland stealing many thousands of pounds in the process.
Police Staff Investigator Jodie Mottishaw 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.”
The pair was identified after detectives combined financial enquiries, CCTV footage and vehicle analysis to trace their movements.
A key breakthrough came when investigators discovered Felix was using his own bank card to make balance enquiries as cover for his activities. This enabled officers to identify two different vehicles linked to the offences.
During a subsequent search warrant at Cristian’s address in Barnsley, officers discovered an improvised workshop in the garage where the devices were being made.
Additional traps were recovered from a vehicle Felix was travelling in when he was arrested on the morning if the warrant.
Christian, aged 37, of Upper Sheffield Road, Barnsley, waited until the day of his trial on 27 April to plead guilty to conspiracy to steal and concealing criminal property.
Felix, aged 33, of Thomas Street, Selby, was found guilty in his absence of conspiracy to steal, concealing criminal property and also, possessing criminal property.
Charges against two female defendants were dismissed following Cristian’s guilty plea.
Both men are due to be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on 26 June.