Top 10 Largest Heists In History

At its core, a heist embodies the convergence of strategy, precision, and risk-taking. It's a meticulously choreographed dance between intellect and instinct, where individuals or teams craft elaborate schemes to acquire valuable treasures, assets, or information, often against formidable security measures.

The heist itself unfolded like a precision-engineered spectacle, a symphony of synchronized actions, where each member played their part flawlessly. They exploited weaknesses in security measures thought impregnable, leaving authorities dumbfounded and scrambling for clues as to how such an eventuality could have unfolded.

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With various bank heists occurring daily around the globe, here we would like to share with you the top 10 largest heists history has ever seen.

10. The Dunbar Armored Robbery ($18.9 Million)

Credit: Author Jennifer Chase

This audacious robbery occurred on September 12, 1997, in Los Angeles, California making it one of the biggest robberies in history. A group of six individuals orchestrated the most significant cash robbery in U.S. history. 

Led by Allen Pace, an employee at Dunbar Armored Trucking Company, the operation leveraged his role as a "safety inspector" within the company to plot and execute the heist. Pace meticulously the synchronization of security cameras at the Los Angeles Dunbar facility, evading surveillance while executing the robbery. 

Enlisting the help of five childhood friends, they infiltrated the premises, subdued two guards on their lunch break, and ran away with $18.9 million in cash, loading it into a U-Haul.

However, the group's capture ensued when one member carelessly loaned a portion of the stolen money to a friend without first removing the original cash straps, leading to the foil of their scheme.

9. The United California Bank Heist ($30 Million)

Credit: Marca

In 1972, Amil Dinsio, an infamous criminal hailing from Ohio, assembled a team of six associates and journeyed to California to carry out one of the biggest bank robberies ever. Their primary target was a bank where they had heard rumors suggesting President Richard Nixon keeping a substantial multimillion-dollar fund.

Using some explosives, the perpetrators forcefully accessed the bank's vault, stealing $30 million worth of cash and valuables. Subsequently, they meticulously sanitized the rented townhouse, eradicating any traces that could link them to their stay.

However, despite their efforts to cover their tracks, law enforcement eventually traced the robbers' identities. Clues were obtained from a taxi driver whom the robbers tipped and fingerprints were discovered on the dishwasher in the townhouse which they had failed to clear it.

8. The British Bank of the Middle East Robbery ($20 - $50 Million)

Credit: Libanews

Amidst Lebanon's civil war in 1976, a group of thieves sought to exploit the chaos to make their way into the British Bank. Displaying unparalleled audacity, this group orchestrated an unprecedented heist, employing explosives to breach the wall of a Catholic church adjacent to the British Bank of the Middle East. 

Among their team were highly skilled locksmiths who cracked open the vault once they were inside. Their efforts came to fruition as they made off with roughly $20 to $50 million worth of cash, jewelry, stocks, and other valuables.

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The local authorities have yet to apprehend the stolen assets with no clue as to whom were behind this robbery.

7. The Northern Bank Robbery ($41 Million)

Credit: Wikimedia Commons via Ardfern

This high-stakes heist took place in Belfast, Northern Ireland, just before the Christmas week of December 20, 2004, where families were kept hostage. On the evening of December 20, the robbers entered the homes of two bank officials with their families under surveillance.

The managers were directed to resume work the following day, only to be confronted by the robbers who executed the biggest bank robbery in Irish history, absconding with around 26.5 million British pounds and various other foreign currencies.

This case was among one of the few that remains unsolved to this day with only one of the perpetrators being arrested due to money laundering.

6. The Brink's-Mat Burglary ($41 Million)

Credit: The Mirror

The Brink's-Mat burglary stands as an infamous chapter in Britain's history of heists. This brazen theft occurred on November 26, 1983, at the Brink's-Mat warehouse near Heathrow Airport in London.

Assisted by an insider named Anthony Black who happens to be the Brink's-Mat security guard, facilitated the entry of a group of robbers into the company's warehouse. The perpetrators managed to seize approximately £26 million worth of gold bullion, diamonds, and cash (roughly $41 million).

Brian Robinson who was the criminal behind this heist was caught and sentenced to 25 years of imprisonment. This heist remains a hot topic to discuss with a new BBC TV show featuring 'The Gold' showing the actual events of the heist.

5. The Banco Central burglary ($71.6 Million)

This audacious theft occurred in Fortaleza, Brazil, on the weekend of August 6-7, 2005, and was once recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records as the largest bank heist in history.

The group of robbers tunneled through approximately 78 meters (255 feet) from a rented property to reach beneath the bank's vault. It took them around 3 months to make their way inside and steal 160 million Brazilian real (around $71.6 million in 2005).

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The bad news is that only eight of them were arrested with the rest still loose and 20 million real recovered. Marcos Antonio Goncalves, the culprit behind the heist, received a 20-year prison term for his involvement in the robbery.

4. The Securitas Depot Robbery ($83 Million)

Credit: The Guardian

The Securitas Depot Robbery remains one of the most audacious and meticulously executed heists in British criminal history. This daring caper unfolded on the evening of February 21, 2006, in Tonbridge, Kent.

This whole operation would not have been possible without the help of an inside job who provided footage of the whole interior of the Securitas Depot. A group of masked individuals wielding firearms, abducted the depot manager, along with his wife and their young child. 

Subsequently, they forced the manager into unlocking the depot, getting their hands on a huge some of valuables worth $83 million. Nevertheless, some of the robbers were eventually caught thanks to the witness who crafted their masks.

3. The Knightsbridge Security Deposit Robbery ($97 Million)

Credit: Documentary Tube

The heist occurred in the heart of Knightsbridge, an area synonymous with high-end living. Also known as the "Lavender Hill Mob" heist, this incident occurred on July 12, 1987, in London, England. Perpetrated by Valerio Viccei, a sole individual who adopted the persona of an Arabian sheikh, penetrated the Knightsbridge Safe Deposit Center, a heavily fortified vault.

Accompanied by an accomplice, he entered a bank under the pretext of renting a safe deposit box. Upon being escorted to the vault, they brandished firearms, overpowering both the bank manager and the guards.

Subsequently, the duo placed a "closed" sign on one of the bank's entrances, allowing their associates entry. Together, they forcibly opened multiple safe deposit boxes, seizing approximately $97 million worth of cash and valuables before making their escape.

However, in 1990, Viccei faced arrest in London and received a 22-year prison sentence. He also underwent extradition to Italy, where he served further time for additional criminal offenses.

2. The Dar Es Salaam Bank Heist ($282 Million)

The Dar Es Salaam Bank heist stands as a notorious chapter in the annals of criminal exploits. In 2007, the Dar Es Salaam Bank situated in Baghdad was robbed with the robbers taking away $282 million of cash and assets.

The details surrounding this heist remain veiled in secrecy, leaving much of the crime's specifics cloaked in uncertainty. The substantial amount of American currency purportedly stolen adds to the enigmatic nature of the incident.

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Reports suggest that the heist was carried out by a group of bank guards. There are suspicions that these perpetrators might have established connections with local law enforcement and militias, facilitating their seamless passage through Baghdad's numerous checkpoints without arousing suspicion.

1. The Central Bank of Iraq Robbery (More Than $920 Million)

The Central Bank of Iraq Robbery stands as a testament to the audacity and precision of a heist that shook the foundations of global financial security. This daring caper, executed in the heart of Baghdad, not only made headlines worldwide but also raised questions about the vulnerabilities of even the most fortified financial institutions.

It all happened on 18 March 2003 when a group of highly skilled and organized criminals, armed with meticulous planning and insider knowledge broke through the impregnable walls of the Central Bank of Iraq and took with them over $920 million cash amidst the Iraq war.

The Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussien was the mastermind behind such a heist. Three substantial trucks were dispatched to the Central Bank by Saddam. Alongside this action, his son Qusay was also involved, delivering a handwritten note requesting the withdrawal of nearly $1 billion to safeguard it from falling into the hands of enemies. Subsequently, the requested amount was loaded into vans and transported away.

Despite the majority of the money being retrieved during subsequent raids, the story doesn't conclude here. Entrusted with the responsibility of tallying the illegal gains, American soldiers took away hundreds of thousands of dollars for personal use by themselves and their families. 

As a result, thirty-five service members were apprehended in connection with this incident. This remains the largest heist in history to this day.

Also read: Top 7 Biggest Prisons In The World