Deutsche Bank robbery: Thieves' masterplan to steal millions, escape undetected

A daring robbery at a Deutsche Bank branch in Lübeck, Schleswig-Holstein, has left the institution in disgrace after thieves stole €10 million (over $10 million) in cash, gold, jewellery, and personal documents from 326 safe deposit boxes.

On the night of December 20-21, four masked individuals entered the branch, each rolling empty suitcases, Caliber.Az reports via German media.

After being led to the vault area, they disappeared into the facility without raising suspicion. Once inside, they hid beneath a staircase on the lower level of the vault until closing time, before looting the safe deposit boxes at their leisure, undisturbed.

Photographs and exclusive information reveal the extent of the crime. The vault, situated underground, contained around 2,500 safe deposit boxes spread over two levels. Yet, alarmingly, there were no security cameras or motion sensors in place. The vaults themselves proved easy to crack, as they were little more than standard letterboxes, vulnerable to basic tools.

The police are still searching for the perpetrators, and the bank has yet to comment on how they managed to remain undetected for so long. Bank customers who rented the vaults – starting from €95.90 (over $100) per year without liability – are left stunned. 

Access to the vault is gained through a glass door, followed by a sturdy security door, but the criminals were able to break in without triggering an alarm. It wasn’t until they fled the scene in at least two vehicles that the sirens were triggered.

A victim of the raid, who wishes to remain anonymous, suspects that the thieves may have rented a safe deposit box themselves, as it would have been nearly impossible for them to access the vault otherwise. The robbers used their tools to break open the boxes, filling their bags without interruption.

In the aftermath, Deutsche Bank has changed its security procedures. Now, customers wishing to access their safe deposit boxes are escorted by the bank director, his deputy, and at least two security staff. Legal expert Jürgen Hennemann, representing dozens of victims, has called for accountability, stating, “The question is not whether Deutsche Bank failed in its duty of care, but how such an event could occur.”

For the 326 affected customers, the heist has been a devastating blow. As of now, Deutsche Bank has refused to offer compensation for the stolen goods, leaving many questioning the bank's responsibility in safeguarding their assets.

By Aghakazim Guliyev