When it comes to the world’s biggest heists, forget the bank-robbing outlaws of old. Today’s masterminds orchestrate global schemes so bold they leave entire nations in disarray. From billions stolen through corporate fraud and political corruption to robberies that shook entire economies, these criminals have etched their names into history not just for what they took, but for how they did it. Below are 11 of the most jaw-dropping heists ever recorded—acts so colossal, their impact continues to linger.
1. The Great Mining Robbery (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Between 2010 and 2012, anonymous shell companies bought mines at a fraction of their value and then resold them for enormous profits. This scheme cost the DRC over US$1.36 billion, nearly double its annual health and education budgets combined.
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2. Great Train Robbery (UK)
In 1963, thieves famously stole £2.6 million (US$3.4 million) from a Royal Mail train. While much of the gang was captured, some members, like Ronnie Biggs, gained notoriety for escaping.
3. Ferdinand Marcos (Philippines)
The former president is believed to have stolen US$5 billion to US$10 billion during his regime through various means, including bribes, loans, and embezzlement.
4. Sani Abacha (Nigeria)
During his five-year rule, General Abacha reportedly misused government funds, siphoning off US$3 billion to US$5 billion, much of which remains hidden through anonymous shell companies.
5. Jean-Claude Duvalier (Haiti)
“Baby Doc” Duvalier allegedly stole between 1.7% and 4.5% of Haiti’s GDP each year while in power, making him one of the most infamous thieves in the developing world.
6. Saddam Hussein (Iraq)
In 2003, Saddam Hussein ordered Iraq’s Central Bank to hand over US$920 million and €90 million with just a handwritten note—one of the most straightforward yet massive heists in history.
7. UK Bonds Mugging (London)
In 1990, a messenger carrying £292 million in bonds was mugged, resulting in one of the most valuable street crimes. The suspected thief was later found dead.
8. Aleksandr Andreevich Panin (Russia)
Panin, also known as “Gribodemon,” created the SpyEye malware, which infected 1.4 million computers worldwide. His cyber theft caused losses in the hundreds of billions by stealing financial data.
9. Bernie Madoff (US)
Madoff ran a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of US$65 billion, making it one of the largest financial scams in history. The scheme collapsed when investors started demanding their money back.
10. The Great Oil Heist (Nigeria)
Shell and ENI paid US$1.1 billion to Nigeria for an oil block, but the money was funneled to Malabu Oil & Gas, an anonymous shell company owned by Nigeria’s former petroleum minister.
11. Siemens (Germany)
The German electronics giant paid hundreds of millions in bribes globally. It was fined one of the largest corporate penalties in history for foreign bribery, with settlements in the US and Germany.
These heists underscore how theft and corruption on a massive scale often involve complex networks of businesses and political figures. The global loss from such crimes is estimated at US$1 trillion annually, much of it facilitated through anonymous shell companies.
