International investigation yields results: Woman with BiH and Dutch passports arrested in Austria

(Patria) - Austrian police have arrested a citizen of Bosnia and Herzegovina suspected of leading an organized group of women accused of a series of thefts in several Austrian cities.

According to local media reports, the suspect is a 44-year-old woman who led a five-member gang responsible for at least 27 thefts in which property worth tens of thousands of euros was stolen. The group operated in Vienna, Graz, Salzburg and Mödling, using an almost identical modus operandi – stealing wallets, after which they would use the stolen cards to withdraw cash from ATMs or purchase luxury goods.

Particularly concerning is that, according to investigation information, the suspects were extremely skilled at observing PIN codes during cash withdrawals, which facilitated further misuse of the cards.

The arrested woman also holds Dutch citizenship and was identified thanks to international cooperation and a targeted investigation led by Austrian authorities, particularly the police in Salzburg. The key lead came after two thefts in February this year in the Salzburg area.

While the main suspect is in custody, the remaining four gang members are still being sought – they remain at large.