Jail for ‘cash-trap’ thief who made a fortune
A thief who used ‘cash-trap’ devices late at night to steal tens of thousands of pounds from ATMs across the South East has been jailed for three years.
Artur Sutu, 39, targeted the cash machines over a six-month period, pocketing around £40,000 and causing damage totalling a further £60,000.
Sutu, 39, worked under cover of darkness fitting a device designed to trap money inside ATMs.
When cashpoint customers tried to use the machines the next day, their money would become stuck inside.
Sutu would return and force the machines open to retrieve money, damaging the ATM.
Footage released by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) shows the thief smoking a cigarette, standing next to an ATM and looking around to check the coast is clear.
He operated across Brentwood, Rayleigh, Pitsea and Loughton in Essex, and even targeted from a Tesco cash machine in Lemington Spa, nearly 100 miles from his home in Ilford.
Officers from raided Sutu’s address on New North Road on 24 March 2026.
They discovered the tools he needed to break into the machines along with cash-trap devices being made in his garage.
Sutu admitted making the devices at his home and planning to carry out further offences.
He was charged with multiple offences carried out
Sutu admitted four counts of theft and three further charges of criminal damage between 17 October 2025 and 18 March 2026 at Basildon Crown Court Court.
He was jailed for three years.
Detective Sergeant Mike Simpson, of ERSOU’s Proactive Economic Crime Team, said: ‘Sutu carried out a systematic and sustained campaign targeting cash machines, leaving members of the public out of pocket and unable to access their own money.
‘He operated across a wide area, causing significant disruption and damage, all for personal gain.
‘Crimes like this don’t just affect banks and their customer – they impact communities, businesses and individuals who rely on these services every day. Anyone thinking of committing this type of offence should be in no doubt, we will identify you and you will be brought before the courts.’
ENDS
