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Museum heists have turned more violent, with thieves hired on social media, Europol says
Europol said thieves are using social media to form ad-hoc crews as gold prices rise 85% and violent museum robberies increase.
- On Monday, Europol warned that art thieves in Europe are increasingly using violence to target gold and jewels, with traditional specialist gangs replaced by ad-hoc groups recruited through social media.
- Criminals now breach premises using sledgehammers, axes, and explosives, abandoning traditional "deception and stealth" for a decentralized "crime-as-a-service" model relying on profit-seeking opportunists.
- The October heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris saw thieves threaten guards to steal €88 million in jewels, including Empress Eugenie's tiara; a similar January robbery in the Netherlands targeted a Dacian golden helmet.
- Gold prices surged 85% over the past two years as investors and central banks seek safe-haven assets, prompting London Bullion Market Association officials to warn that illicit flows and market distortions are increasing.
- Precious metals can be easily melted down, leaving no trace for law enforcement, while precious stones in jewelry are removed and sold, facilitating illicit sales during the fencing process.
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29 Articles
29 Articles
Europol Warns Museum Heists across Europe are Becoming More Violent, “Hand of God” Soccer Ball Sells, and More: Morning Links for August 24, 2026
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·New York, United States
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Criminals are increasingly targeting valuables that can be quickly resold.
·Belgrade, Serbia
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A report by the European agency reveals more aggressive, less organized and preferably easily transformable objects, such as gold and jewellery.
·Madrid, Spain
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Europol says thieves are increasingly targeting gold items, from gold nuggets and coins to jewelry, due to the soaring price of gold.
·Marousi, Greece
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(Brussels=Yonhap News) Correspondent Hyun Yun-kyung = The violence of criminals robbing museums and art galleries in Europe for gold and jewels is intensifying, and those seeking a quick fortune...
·Seoul, Korea (the Republic of)
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Total News Sources29
Leaning Left4Leaning Right8Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution47% Right
Bias Distribution
- 47% of the sources lean Right
47% Right
L 24%
C 29%
R 47%
Factuality
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