VIENNA — Austria is facing a wave of ATM bombings, with 21 machines blown up so far this year. Police believe a criminal group from the Netherlands is behind many of the attacks, using a method called the “pizza slice technique”, as reported by The Presse.
The special police unit “Soko Bankomat,” created in March, is working with local police to stop the bombings. They’ve already made progress — several Dutch suspects were arrested after attacks in Vienna and Gmunden earlier this year.
Criminologist Jasper van der Kemp from the Free University of Amsterdam explained the technique on Austria’s Ö1 radio. Criminals place small, flat explosives into the cash area of the ATM, like sliding in a pizza slice. These bombs are strong enough to break open the machine and steal the money inside.
This type of crime began in the Dutch city of Utrecht about 15 years ago. At first, thieves used gasoline to blow up machines. But after Dutch banks made ATMs safer, criminals had to find new ways — leading to the pizza slice method.
Because Dutch ATMs became harder to break into, the gangs moved to other countries, including Austria. Police believe one of the main groups involved is the “Mocro Mafia,” a Dutch-Moroccan crime organization.
To fight back, Austria is updating its ATM security. Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said banks are adding new ink-staining systems and smart fog machines that go off when someone tries to break in. Some machines may even be made unreachable at night — a tactic that worked well in the Netherlands.
Officials say they are determined to make it as hard as possible for criminals to continue these attacks.
