20 years after this incredible robbery, find out all the details surrounding the crime and what happened to the money.
He December 20, 2004, Belfast was the scene of one of the most risky robberies and attractions of modern history. In a very well-planned operation, a group of criminals managed to take a value of 50 million dollars of the Northern Bank, marking the largest bank robbery in the history of the United Kingdom. Despite intense police and media efforts, this case continues to be shrouded in great mystery.
The thieves made off with the fortune in £20 and £50 notes and the magnitude of the robbery undoubtedly paralyzed Northern Ireland’s banking sector and generated a media frenzy. Furthermore, a A significant portion of the stolen money consisted of new banknotes.which complicated its circulation on the black market.
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How was the robbery
The night of December 19, two bank employees, Chris Ward and Kevin McMullan, were kidnapped in their homes by armed men. Under threat of death to their families, both were forced to collaborate with the assailants. On the morning of December 20, the kidnappers kept the families detained while the employees went to the bank to continue their usual routine.
The thieves carried out the hit in several stages. First, they entered the bank at closing, when there were no customers or other employees. Then, with the forced help of Ward and McMullan, they moved the bags of money to a truck, which quickly disappeared.
What happened to the criminals
The Northern Ireland Police and the British government pointed to the Irish Republican Army as the main suspect. The assault was reportedly part of a fundraising effort ahead of the Good Friday Agreement peace talks. However, the IRA denied involvement, and Sinn Féin, its political arm, called the allegations a political maneuver to discredit the republican movement.
Although several suspects were arrested in subsequent years, No one was convicted for the robbery.. The lack of conclusive evidence and the secrecy of those involved frustrated judicial efforts.
Where are the 50 million stolen dollars?
Much of the money is still missing, and only small fractions could be recovered. In some cases, flagged bills reappeared in suspicious transactions, suggesting that some of the money was laundered. However, the entire remainder of the funds appears to have been hidden or invested in some way that left no trace.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
