Watch out for this new method discovered for stealing from ATMs: here’s the “distinctive sign”

A criminal organization with roots in Romania has developed a new method to steal money from ATMs across Spain and other Western European countries, managing to withdraw the equivalent of over $630,000.

The scheme, known as the “transaction void method,” involves canceling an ATM withdrawal at the last second—just before the cash is dispensed. Despite the cancellation, the machine still releases the money, while the transaction is never recorded, allowing the criminals to walk away with untraceable cash.

Members of the group traveled from Romania to countries like Spain and other parts of Western Europe, using this technique to carry out widespread ATM fraud. The stolen funds were then laundered through real estate investments and the purchase of luxury items.

Authorities were first alerted to the group after noticing a distinctive symbol used by its members: a derogatory term for police. This “badge” appeared on their vehicle license plates, clothing, and across their social media accounts—raising red flags for British investigators.

These online posts and displays led to the launch of a police investigation in the UK in December 2024. That probe recently resulted in the arrest of two suspects in Romania. In total, 18 property searches were conducted in Spain, Romania, and other countries, leading to the seizure of assets including real estate, high-end cars, and large amounts of cash.

The group’s method involved tampering with ATMs by removing the screen, inserting a card, selecting a withdrawal amount, and then canceling the transaction just before the machine dispensed the money. This tricked the machine into dispensing cash without ever logging the transaction. Authorities say members of the network were also involved in other crimes, including identity theft, credit card fraud, and card cloning.

The international takedown of the group was the result of a joint operation involving law enforcement agencies from the United Kingdom, Romania, Spain, and Europol, all working together to dismantle the criminal network.

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