Museum heists more violent, with thieves hired on social media, Europol says

BRUSSELS: Art thieves across Europe are engaging in more violent robberies, with a focus on gold and jewels, according to Europol. The agency attributes these changes to the emergence of ad-hoc groups, recruited via social media, replacing specialized gangs. A prime example is the 2022 Louvre Museum heist in Paris, where thieves threatened guards and visitors before stealing €88 million worth of jewels, including Empress Eugenie's tiara.

Over the past two years, thieves have shifted their focus to precious metals, jewels, and cultural artifacts, driven by higher profits. Gold prices have surged by 85% in the past two years, as investors and central banks seek it as a safe haven, leading to more illicit flows and market distortions. Europol reports that offenders are using tools like sledgehammers, axes, crowbars, and even explosives to breach premises and display cases.

Unlike traditional gangs, these thieves operate as decentralized groups, often found through social media on a "crime-as-a-service" basis. They target gold items from nuggets and coins to jewels, as melting them down leaves no trace for law enforcement, making illicit sales easier. Precious stones in jewelry can also be easily removed and sold.

In January 2023, explosives were used to steal a 2,500-year-old Dacian golden helmet and three ancient gold bracelets from a museum in the Netherlands, though one bracelet remains missing. Europol also notes an increase in thefts of ancient Chinese porcelain artifacts, such as Ming Dynasty vases, due to high demand.