This article highlights 10 of the biggest heists in history, including bank robberies, art thefts, and cyber heists. These heists shocked the world with their daring and audacity, and many of them remain unsolved to this day. However, while some thieves managed to escape with the loot, most of them were eventually caught and punished severely. Despite the allure of sudden wealth, this article serves as a reminder that crime does not pay in the long run, and it is essential to follow the law and respect others’ property.
10 of the Biggest Heists in History
Every once in a while, the world is stunned by unprecedented heists that shatter records and capture global attention. These heists range from bank robberies, art thefts, and even massive cyber heists. While some of these thieves are often caught, others disappear into the sunset. Here are 10 of the biggest heists in history:
1. The Brink’s-Mat Robbery
In 1983, a group of criminals broke into the Brink’s-Mat warehouse in the UK and managed to steal 6,800 gold bars, worth around $40 million. The heist was a success, but the robbers were caught and jailed.
2. The Great Train Robbery
In 1963, a gang of 15 robbers attacked a Royal Mail train and stole over $7 million in cash equivalents. This event is considered one of the most daring robberies in British history. The robbers were eventually arrested and given lengthy jail sentences.
3. The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum Heist
In 1990, in what is considered to be one of the biggest art heists in history, two men disguised as police officers stole 13 works of art from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston, Massachusetts. The pieces, including paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer, are still missing today, and the thieves have never been caught.
4. The Hatton Garden Heist
In 2015, a team of elderly thieves broke into a safe deposit vault in London’s Hatton Garden, using a drill to cut through the steel walls. The thieves made off with $20 million in cash and jewelry, but were caught shortly after.
5. The Dunbar Armored Robbery
In 1997, six robbers managed to make off with over $18 million from the Dunbar Armored facility in Los Angeles. The heist was successful, but the robbers were eventually caught and sentenced to long prison terms.
6. The Antwerp Diamond Heist
In 2003, a group of thieves in Antwerp, Belgium, pulled off the biggest diamond heist in history. The thieves made off with diamonds worth over $100 million, but were eventually caught and jailed.
7. The Banco Central Heist
In 2005, a group of men in Brazil stole around $71 million from a central bank facility. The robbers dug a tunnel from a nearby property and managed to bypass the bank’s security systems. Most of the robbers were arrested and jailed, but over $20 million of the stolen money remains missing.
8. The Securitas Depot Heist
In 2006, six men dressed as police officers kidnapped the manager of a Securitas depot in Tonbridge, UK, and stole over $92 million in cash. The robbers were eventually caught and given lengthy jail sentences.
9. The Global Bonds Heist
In 1990, a group of thieves broke into the Depository Trust Company in New York City and stole $72 million in bearer bonds. The bonds were never recovered, and the robbers were never caught.
10. The Bangladesh Bank Heist
In 2016, hackers managed to steal $81 million from the Bangladesh Bank using a series of fraudulent transactions. The hackers were traced to North Korea, but none have been apprehended.
Conclusion
From the daring to the outrageous, these heists have captured global attention, with some of them leaving lasting effects on history. Remarkably, some of these crimes remain unsolved, indicating just how well some thieves can operate. However, it is essential to note that crime never pays in the long run, and most of the perpetrators of these heists were eventually caught and punished severely.