‘I felt numb’: German bank heist victims devastated after thieves ransack 3,000 deposit boxes

January 21, 2026

TL;DR

Thieves drilled into a Sparkasse vault in Gelsenkirchen, stealing contents from over 3,250 deposit boxes.
The estimated value of the stolen goods could be as high as €300m, making it one of Germany's largest bank heists.
The robbery occurred on December 27th, with thieves gaining access through a manipulated emergency exit and using a large drill.
Police were alerted 48 hours after the heist when a fire alarm was activated.
Customers are questioning the bank's security measures, while experts highlight a pattern of increasing brazenness by criminals due to security shortfalls.
Insurance coverage for deposit boxes is limited, with basic policies covering only up to €10,300 per box.
Many victims had stored valuables like gold bars and cash in their boxes as protection against economic instability.
The suspects, believed to be five to seven men, remain at large, having fled in a black Audi and a white Mercedes van.

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