Summary
Dutch police arrested seven suspects of an organized criminal group on April 14 and 22, 2026, who are believed to be responsible for ATM bombings in Switzerland and Germany. The arrests were made as part of a coordinated international investigation involving the Netherlands, Germany, France and Switzerland. The arrested individuals are accused of carrying out approximately ten explosive attacks on Swiss ATMs. Two additional suspects from the same group were already arrested in December 2025. The operation shows success: in 2025, the number of ATM bombings in Switzerland fell to 24 cases – the lowest rate since 2019.
Persons
- Swiss Federal Prosecutor's Office (federal investigative authority)
Topics
- Organized crime
- International police cooperation
- ATM bombings
- Security measures in the financial sector
Clarus Lead
The dismantling of this Dutch criminal group marks a turning point in a crime phenomenon that had escalated dramatically since 2019. The declining success rate of attacks (2025: only 30 percent successful) signals that enhanced protective measures and cross-border investigations are working – a critical signal for European security policy. The operational task force between fedpol, German and Dutch authorities, and Europol demonstrates that organized explosive crime can only be combated through coordinated international structures.
Detailed Summary
Dutch criminal groups have specialized in ATM bombings in Europe for at least 15 years, initially concentrated on Germany and Austria. Since 2020, they have systematically expanded their activities to Switzerland. Investigations show that more than half of all Swiss explosive attacks on ATMs since 2023 can be attributed to this criminal group – evidence of highly organized, mobile crime.
The operational task force, which has been supported since 2025 by the Federal Prosecutor's Office, Düsseldorf State Prosecutor's Office, Amsterdam District Public Prosecutor's Office, Eurojust and the French State Prosecutor's Office, led to coordinated arrest days (Joint Action Days). Explosives, vehicles and cash were seized during the raids. Criminal proceedings are currently being conducted by the Federal Prosecutor's Office; all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The decline from 48 attacks (2024) to 24 (2025) demonstrates the effectiveness of this strategy. Crucial to this success was also cooperation with non-police actors – banks, ATM operators and manufacturers – who have continuously strengthened protective measures.
Key Points
- Seven suspects of a Dutch criminal group were arrested in coordinated international action; two more already in December 2025
- The suspects are accused of approximately ten explosive attacks on Swiss ATMs
- ATM bombings in Switzerland fell to 24 cases in 2025 – the lowest rate since 2019; success rate fell to 30 percent
- International operational task force since 2025 with authorities from Switzerland, Germany, Netherlands, France and Europol
Critical Questions
Evidence/Source Validity: On what basis are the seven arrested individuals linked to the "approximately ten" Swiss attacks – DNA, vehicle traces, witness statements or technical intelligence? How certain is this attribution?
Causality/Alternatives: Is the decline from 48 (2024) to 24 attacks (2025) primarily attributable to the arrests in December 2025 and April 2026, or do technical security measures by banks carry the main weight?
Conflicts of Interest/Independence: What role do private ATM operators and manufacturers play in providing data for investigations, and how do authorities verify their commercial interest in security measures?
Feasibility/Risks: Is there a risk that the dismantling of this group merely leads to redistribution among other Dutch criminal groups rather than structurally combating the phenomenon?
Data Quality: How complete is the recording of all ATM bombings in Switzerland – are there unreported figures that could distort the statistics?
Causality/Counter-Hypotheses: Could declining success rates also be explained by changed offender strategies (e.g., switching to other targets) rather than improved defenses?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Federal Police Office (fedpol) & Federal Prosecutor's Office – Press Release "International Raid Against ATM Bombing Gangs" (24.04.2026) https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/V8jwmL7NiOkCdhKujCrza
Verification Status: ✓ 24.04.2026
This text was created with the assistance of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact Check: 24.04.2026