8 Astonishing Robberies which Left the World Shocked
Meet the Newtons of crime…
We all read about the robberies and heists in the media from time to time, and even get angry or amazed about the entire act. We wonder how did people pull such stunts in broad daylight or with all the security cameras around. But people sometimes get things done their way by doing whatever it takes.
It might be unthinkable for us, but these movie-like stunts have happened. Just so you don’t have to look up on your own, we have compiled a list of most astonishing and shocking robberies that have ever happened.
Read on to see for yourself!
1. Central Bank of Iraq, 2003
Amount: $1 billion | Iraq
This one goes back in time when Saddam Hussein, the dictator decided to withdraw a billion dollars from the Central Bank of Iraq. “When you get an order from Saddam Hussein, you do not discuss it,” an unidentified official from the bank told the press. After the Americans invaded Iraq, they recovered a lot of the money from the walls of his palace.
Saddam Hussein with his sons
2. Banco Central Robbery, 2005
Amount: R$160 million | Brazil
This one is among the world’s largest heists. It took the criminals three months of planning where they rented a house near the location of the bank and tunneled their way through the ground. They ended up stealing about $71 million after breaking through a 1.1-meter steel vault.
Luis Fernando Ribeiro, said to be the mastermind behind the heist was found dead
3. KaDeWe Heist, 2009
Amount: €6 million | Germany
One spectacular heist was at the departmental store, Kaufhaus Des Westens in 2009. Three people were said to have entered the store who stole jewelry and luxury watches worth millions of Euros. The astonishing thing is that there was a glove found at the scene of crime along with DNA evidence. The twist is that it matched two people — yes, you’re getting it right, they were twins. Because of the rules, it was necessary that the evidence is connected to only one individual, both of them had to be freed. Although they claim that they are being framed but we can never know. This is some stroke of luck, isn’t it?
Abbas & Hassan O, alleged perpetrators of the crime
4. Kent Securitas Depot Heist, 2006
Amount: £53 million | UK
This heist is more like the traditional ones. The criminals, impersonating police officers abducted the manager of the depot and also took his wife & son as hostages. They were all taken to the depot at gun point where the 14 members of staff were also bound by using handguns, shotguns & AK-47s. The gang members were later caught and prosecuted.
Stuart Royale, Jetmir Bucpapa, Lea Rusha, Ermir Hysenaj and Roger Coutts
5. Knightsbridge securities, 1987
Amount: $98 million | UK
The robbers in this one went to the center and requested to rent a safe deposit box. Once they were shown into the vault, they drew handguns and took control. The robbers were later identified with the help of fingerprints.
Valerio Viccei, the mastermind behind the robbery
6. Harry Winston, 2008
Amount: $100 million | Paris
Harry Winston heist, where three of the robbers wore female clothes and wigs before entering the store, involves stolen jewelry worth over $100 million. A similar kind of heist was held sometime earlier which included the same gang. There was a former employee involved who gave inside information which helped the entire act.
The mastermind, Douadi Yahiaoui along with his 2 accomplices
7. Antwerp Diamond Centre Heist, 2003
Amount: $100+ million | Belgium
This one is dubbed as “heist of the century.” The plan of this robbery began three years before the actual heist. The robbers were caught because of a partially eaten sandwich left near the crime scene with the help of video cameras. But the whereabouts of the diamonds are still unknown.
The gang lead by Leonardo Notarbartolo
8. Hatton Garden burglary, 2015
Amount: £200 million | UK
‘The largest burglary in English legal history’ was carried out in April 2015 where the stolen amount has been said to be valued up to £200 million. Four elderly men, all experienced thieves were convicted who pleaded guilty and are now serving their respective sentences.
John Collins, Daniel Jones, Terry Perkins & William Lincoln
What do you think?
