PROJECT: ATM BOMBINGS IN SOUTH AFRICA

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ATM bombings have become a serious crime in South Africa.

Criminals use explosives to gain access to cash inside automated teller machines.

These attacks cause financial losses, threaten public safety, and disrupt banking services.

Understanding how these crimes are carried out, how criminals target ATMs, and the economic impact

can help authorities and financial institutions develop better prevention strategies.

Recent data indicates a positive trend in combating this crime:
- Decline in ATM Bombings: The number of ATM bombings decreased by 30% between November, December 2024, and January 2025.
- Impact of Project Big Bang: Initiatives like Project Big Bang have contributed to a 32% reduction in ATM bombings, highlighting the effectiveness of targeted security measures.
These developments suggest that collaborative efforts between security agencies and financial institutions yield positive results in reducing ATM-related crimes.
Project Big Bang was an industry-wide task team established in May 2024 in South Africa to combat the escalating issue of ATM bombings.
This collaborative initiative brought various stakeholders together - including outsourced investigation units, internal banking and ATM deployer investigation units, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), the Petroleum Security Initiative (PSI), oil companies, and the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The task team's primary objective was to address the alarming 72% increase in ATM bombings reported between 2019 and 2023.
Through coordinated efforts, Project Big Bang achieved a significant 30.7% reduction in ATM bombings from November 2024 to January 2025.
This success was marked by the identification, tracing, and arrest of 46 key perpetrators linked to 69 cases and the seizure of explosives, vehicles, firearms, and over R400,000.00 in dye-stained cash.
The initiative demonstrated the effect of collaborative, data-driven intelligence in tackling complex security challenges and set a precedent for future crime prevention strategies in South Africa.

MODUS OPERANDI:

EXPLOSIVE PLACEMENT:
- Criminals use various types of explosives, including dynamite, gel explosives, or even homemade devices.
- These explosives are strategically placed on the ATM, usually near the cash dispensing area, to maximise the impact of the blast.
DETONATION:
- Once the explosives are in place, criminals detonate them, causing the ATM to rupture.
- The force of the explosion is designed to expose the cash cassettes inside without destroying the money.
CASH RETRIEVAL:
- After the explosion, the criminals quickly retrieve the cash and flee the scene before law enforcement arrives.
- These operations are often well-coordinated and executed within minutes.

HOW CRIMINALS TARGET ATMs:

LOCATION:
- ATMs in isolated or poorly lit areas are the most vulnerable.
- Criminals prefer locations that are not under constant surveillance or far from busy public areas.
SECURITY WEAKNESSES:
- Older ATM models or those with inadequate security measures are easier targets.
- Criminals often study ATM security systems to identify vulnerabilities.
TIMING:
- Most ATM bombings occur late at night or in the early morning when fewer people are around.
- This minimises the risk of being caught and reduces the chances of immediate intervention by security personnel or police.
INSIDE INFORMATION:
- Sometimes, criminals may have inside information about ATM cash levels or security protocols.
- This knowledge helps them target ATMs stocked with large amounts of cash and weak security measures.

FINANCIAL IMPACT:

DIRECT LOSSES:
- The immediate financial impact of ATM bombings includes the loss of cash stolen from the ATMs.
- Banks can suffer substantial financial losses because some machines can hold significant amounts of money.
ATM DAMAGE:
- The cost of repairing or replacing damaged ATMs is substantial.
- The blasts completely destroy many machines, requiring banks to install new ones at a high cost.
BUSINESS DISRUPTION:
- ATM bombings disrupt banking services, inconveniencing customers who rely on ATMs for daily transactions.
- This can also impact businesses that depend on ATM accessibility for cash transactions.
INSURANCE COSTS:
- Banks and financial institutions face increased insurance premiums due to the high risk of ATM bombings.
- This additional cost is often passed on to consumers through higher banking fees.
SECURITY COSTS:
- Banks must invest heavily in security measures such as reinforced ATMs, surveillance cameras, and armed security personnel to prevent future attacks.
- These measures add significant costs to financial institutions.
ECONOMIC IMPACT:
- Beyond the direct financial losses, ATM bombings contribute to a climate of fear and uncertainty.
- This can deter investment and economic growth, particularly in areas where these crimes are prevalent. Businesses may also suffer due to reduced banking infrastructure in affected regions.

COMBATTING ATM BOMBINGS:

STRONGER ATM SECURITY:
- Install tamper-resistant ATMs with reinforced structures and explosion-resistant designs.
INCREASED SURVEILLANCE:
- Deploy CCTV cameras and security alarms at ATM locations to deter criminals.
CASH MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES:
- Reduce the amount of cash stored in ATMs to make them less attractive targets.
LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE:
- Enhance police response times and increase patrols in high-risk areas.
PUBLIC AWARENESS:
- Educate businesses and the public on recognising suspicious activities around ATMs.

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