TORONTO, August 14, 2026 – York Regional Police released details on August 13 about an ATM “cash trap” investigation. In these cases, a user completes a normal withdrawal and the account shows that money has been withdrawn, but the cash does not come out properly, or only part of the cash is dispensed.
According to police, 14 similar incidents occurred at several financial institutions across York Region between June and July this year. Police said the suspects installed a device inside the ATM cash dispenser and used materials such as double-sided tape to trap the cash inside the machine. As a result, even when the withdrawal was completed normally, the banknotes may not have been properly dispensed.
Because some people may leave quickly after using an ATM due to personal safety concerns, or because they trust the machine and do not count the money on site, the suspects were able to take advantage of the situation multiple times.
On August 6, two suspects were arrested. During the investigation, police also found a large amount of double-sided tape and metal parts believed to have been used to make the “cash trap” devices. Razvan Zenica, 41, and Vasile Stoean, 52, are each facing multiple charges related to theft under $5,000 and mischief. Police believe the two men had also been active in southwestern Ontario, so there may be more victims.
Police are reminding residents to make sure the amount of cash they receive from an ATM matches the amount they requested. If the machine does not dispense any money, or only dispenses part of the cash, users should not simply leave. They should contact their bank immediately and report the situation.
If an ATM cash dispenser appears to have been altered, has unknown objects or adhesive attached to it, or the machine seems unusual, residents should notify the bank or police. When possible, people may also choose to complete large cash transactions directly at a bank counter.
For residents who frequently use ATMs, it is safer to choose indoor machines, check the cash dispenser for anything unusual before withdrawing money, and count the cash promptly after it is dispensed to avoid personal financial loss.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
