Gang of women terrorizes Austria: 27 robberies and high damage!

Gang of women terrorizes Austria: 27 robberies and high damage!

In Austria, a gang of thieves is making headlines after causing significant five-figure damage with stolen ATM cards. The group of pickpockets committed a total of 27 thefts in several cities such as Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Mödling Cosmo reported. The investigation began in January after two perpetrators became conspicuous in Salzburg.

In May, a 44-year-old main suspect with Dutch and Bosnian citizenship was arrested in Vienna. Meanwhile, four accomplices are still at large and the police have launched searches in cooperation with the state criminal investigation offices of several federal states and internationally. There are indications that the gang could be part of a larger, cross-border network.

Methods of the gang of thieves

The perpetrators operated in busy areas and specifically visited shopping centers and public transport to select their victims. They paid particular attention to observing the PIN codes of ATM cards during the payment process or finding sticky notes with the codes in stolen wallets. Such thefts are often committed by international perpetrators who appear in groups and display a calm, level-headed presence so as not to attract attention österreich.gv.at supplemented.

High risk locations for pickpocketing include major events, markets and public transport. Women in particular need to be taken into account as they are more likely to be victims of such crimes compared to men. Handbags are much easier to access than clothing pockets, which attracts thieves.

Prevention measures

The police and prevention measures recommend better protecting valuable items. It is advisable to spread valuables across multiple bags and not to carry too much cash with you. Wallets should be kept in front trouser or inside pockets and handbags (especially with magnetic closures) should always be carried in front of the body. Particular caution is advised in crowds, although simple behavioral measures can help to protect yourself, according to information from the Federal Police.

The police crime statistics for Germany listed over 109,000 reported pickpocketing cases in 2023, showing that this type of crime is widespread. The total damage amounted to over 52 million euros, but only around 6.9 percent of the cases could be solved. This underlines the urgency of protecting yourself from such thefts.