Gangs of 20 men use angle grinders to break into ATMs and steal millions in cash

There is an emerging trend of organised gangs of up to 20 men breaking into ATMs using angle grinders to steal millions of rands in cash. 

This trend was highlighted by the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) in its annual crime statistics for 2025. 

The centre tracks fraud activity across South Africa’s largest banks’ digital channels and physical theft at ATMs around the country. 

Its latest report provided specific operational details regarding a surge in physical theft at ATMs, which the centre refers to as ‘ATM attacks’. 

These attacks are reported to SABRIC by member institutions and third parties, and the organisation uses this data to warn customers and implement enhanced protection measures. 

SABRIC reported a decline in the number of ATM attacks and the amount of cash lost in 2025 compared to 2024. 

In 2025, the number of ATM attacks fell by 46% to 163, and cash losses fell by 63% to R10.19 million. 

However, SABRIC noted a concerning trend in the organisation of ATM attacks and the way in which they are conducted. 

While the number of ATM attacks declined, there was a notable rise in the use of industrial equipment, such as angle grinders, and the involvement of organised gangs.

Angle grinders have become the tool of choice for accessing an ATM’s cash reserves, rather than explosives, which can destroy some of the money before it is stolen. 

The number of attacks with angle grinders grew by 56% year-on-year, costing banks R2.49 million in lost cash. These have a high success rate of 48%. 

SABRIC said these attacks are typically highly coordinated, involving large groups of up to 20 gang members that target shopping malls. 

These individuals hold security guards hostage and often wear fake security uniforms to avoid suspicion while breaching the safe.

Large gangs became more noticeable towards the end of 2025, with seven such incidents occurring in November and December. 

These gangs use grinds to breach roller doors and trolley the ATM, taking it from the shopping mall into a delivery vehicle. 

A major issue with these types of attacks is that SABRIC does not know how much money was lost in these incidents, as the entire ATM safe is trolled away. 

While the total number lies in the millions, these incidents tend to occur at third-party operators that are not SABRIC members and therefore do not have to report them. 

Despite the violence and the major impact of ATM attacks, digital fraud has become the preferred method for criminals to steal funds from customers. 

Compared with the R10.19 million lost to ATM attacks, R1.7 billion was lost to banking app fraud, and a further R700 million to internet banking fraud.