Easy Ways to Make Money? Not! Part one...
Posted - 13 February 2012 by Escape Currency
The Greatest Heists of All Time
Many of us have probably had a fantasy or two about pulling off a “once in a lifetime” kind of heist worth millions. Fortunately, most of us are sane enough not to let it get further than a thought.
We decided to have look at some of the biggest robberies in history, all of which have been "successful" in so much that none of the perpetrators were actually "caught in the act", although most have been captured since and the booty recovered.... mostly!
There is a fascination, almost a romantic attraction, to a lot of theses stories, although we must not forget that many of these robberies carried a large amount of danger to the victims and public alike. Fortunately, as far as we can tell, no one was killed during any of these criminal mega-jobs.
But the sheer scale of these operations; the detailed planning and daredevil execution, are both spine-chilling and incredible to most of us, and occasionally, you just wonder at the sheer simplicity!
Number One in our chart at £292 million - The City Bonds RobberyLondon 2nd May 1990 John Goddard, a 58 year old messenger working for broker Sheppards, was mugged whilst carrying a briefcase on a quiet London side street at 9.30am on 2 May 1990. However, the contents of that briefcase contained £292 million in bearer bonds.
Goddard was delivering Bank of England Treasury bills from banks and building societies. Due to the nature of bearer bonds, whoever is carrying them is deemed the owner.
They are as good as cash. He was held at knifepoint, whilst his assailant made off with 301 Treasury bills, most valued at £1 million each. Keith Cheeseman was arrested in connection to the crime and received a 6 and a half year sentence.
Police believe that the mugging was carried out by Patrick Thomas,a petty crook from south London, but he was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head before he could be charged.
All but two of the bonds were recovered after police and the FBI infiltrated the gang responsible. Four other people were charged with handling the bonds. It’s amazing that the second largest robbery in history was carried out by a low level thief brandishing only a knife on an insignificant back street.
For an easier way to move your money you can always call Escape Currency!
Next heist coming very soon... only by blog!
Tags: robbery, heist, money, FBI, treasury, bonds
This entry was posted in General.
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