Six members of a prolific Romanian cash machine crime gang which branded itself 'F* the Police' and had the moniker on the swimming pool at a fortress-style lair have been jailed.
The group stole £700,000 from ATMs across the country in 3,300 separate transactions using sophisticated devices to bypass security systems.
Lookouts were used to provide cover while members, who were based themselves in Luton, Bedfordshire, used the tech to withdraw the cash.
A series of arrests were made after reports about fraudulent activity were passed to police.
Raids in the Bacau region of Romania followed, including one at an address where the 'F* the Police' logo had was emblazoned on the bottom of an outdoor pool and on the front gate.
Powerful cars including a Lamborghini and a Porsche were also seized.
Six criminals have now been jailed for a total of more than 18 years during two hearings at Luton Crown Court this month after they admitted conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to launder money.
Detective Inspector Dan Barker, of the Easter Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), said: 'There's no doubt that this group thought they were above the law both here in the UK and in Romania.'
The organised crime gang plundered ATMs for cash in late night raids between February and December last year.
The ERSOU investigation led to five arrests being made at the end of last year, with suspects detained at Luton Airport as they tried to leave the country.
Other members were detained at addresses in Luton and Norfolk.
Significant evidence was uncovered from the group, including chipboards programmed to bypass cashpoint security measures.
Officers also seized an ATM machine which had been purchased from China, with indications that new technology was being developed for future offending.
Ongoing enquiries revealed a separate investigation into the OCG had also been launched by Romanian Police following concerns around the lavish lifestyle of gang members.
Detective Inspector Dan Barker, of the Easter Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), said: 'There's no doubt that this group thought they were above the law.'
Raids in Romania also revealed powerful cars including this Porsche and a Lamborghini
This led to raids at 18 addresses across the Bacau region with the assistance of international agencies Europol and Eurojust.
Two further arrests were made - while officers also discovered the lair which openly cocked a snook at the authorities. Both men were extradited to the UK.
Following the court hearings:
- Razvan Verde, 31, of no fixed abode, was jailed for four years and four months. He was considered to have a leading role involved in recruiting new members to the OCG as well as having a direct involvement in frauds of nearly £300,000.
- Gabriel Rosu, 33, of Luton, was jailed for three-and-a-half years. He had a key role in organising and planning and searched for locations to be targeted. Several images of potential ATM sites were found on his phone.
- Constantin Boghiu, 25, of Luton, was jailed for three years and three months. He was found to have made 35 trips to target cashpoints and was involved in frauds totalling losses of £130,000.
- Marius Chifan, 33, of Luton, was jailed for three years. He opened accounts, provided bank cards, searched for locations and was involved in planning and organisation for the OCG.
- Alexandru Militaru, 25, of Thetford, Norfolk, was jailed for two years and five months. He was involved in fraudulant activity totalling almost £100,000
- Christian Cimpoesu, 28, of no fixed abode, was also jailed for a year-and-a-half in October for his role in ten ATM incidents.
Another three gang members will be sentenced at hearings next month and in January. All face deportation after serving their terms.
Det Insp Barker added: 'This has been a long-running operation involving teams from across Europe, and it's positive that these offenders will now be spending spells behind bars.
'The OCG used highly sophisticated technology to bypass the robust security measures that cashpoints use.
'Our detailed investigation was able to piece together their methodology and we've since worked closely with cashpoint providers to ensure they are equipped to deal with this new threat.'