Why bleach can destroy stolen cash

HERE’S THE INTERESTING PART

Chemistry is a cruel mistress for the modern bank robber.

From the Stacky collection1 min read

Why bleach can destroy stolen cash — STACKY / Economy

A closer look

Chemistry is a cruel mistress for the modern bank robber. When thieves grab stacks of cash embedded with exploding dye packs, the bills get permanently stained with a bright red, traceable chemical. In a desperate bid to salvage their loot, amateur criminals frequently toss the radioactive-looking money into a bucket of bleach to strip the color. Unfortunately for them, US currency isn't paper—it's a cotton-linen blend. The bleach aggressively breaks down the fibers, turning their stolen fortune into a worthless, soggy pile of white mush.

Topics in this factcrimemoney launderingchemistry

One discovery leads to another.

Keep exploring facts in this topic.

Economy →

ONE MORE DISCOVERY?

Keep exploring

All in this topic →

Economy

Ransomware attacks have become so lucrative and formalized that many cybercriminal organizations now operate with traditional corporate structures, including human resources…

Ransomware attacks have become so lucrative and formalized that many cybercriminal organizations now operate with traditional corporate structures, including…

Discover more

Economy

Thieves rolled a million-dollar gold coin away in a wheelbarrow

Ocean's Eleven looks incredibly sophisticated until you see how actual art heists operate. In 2017, thieves broke into a Berlin museum and stole the 'Big…

Discover more

Economy

Why smugglers steal Indian sandalwood at night

The oil from wild Indian sandalwood is incredibly valuable for fragrances. Because harvesting it is heavily restricted by the government, heavily armed…

Discover more

Economy

Bottles of liquid Tide laundry detergent became a highly popular alternative street currency for drug dealers and thieves across the United States during the early 2010s because…

Bottles of liquid Tide laundry detergent became a highly popular alternative street currency for drug dealers and thieves across the United States during the…

Discover more

Economy

Tearing a dollar bill does not make two fifty cent pieces

Despite what playground logic dictates, destroying federal property rarely doubles your purchasing power. Banks strictly require you to possess at least…

Discover more

Economy

Internal Revenue Service guidelines explicitly require US taxpayers to declare income generated from bribes, theft, and illegal drug sales on their annual tax returns.

Internal Revenue Service guidelines explicitly require US taxpayers to declare income generated from bribes, theft, and illegal drug sales on their annual tax…

Discover more

StackyMore discoveries in the app

Download on the App Store

Why bleach can destroy stolen cash

A closer look

A bigger world.One discoveryat a time.

Keep exploring

Ransomware attacks have become so lucrative and formalized that many cybercriminal organizations now operate with traditional corporate structures, including human resources…

Thieves rolled a million-dollar gold coin away in a wheelbarrow

Why smugglers steal Indian sandalwood at night

Bottles of liquid Tide laundry detergent became a highly popular alternative street currency for drug dealers and thieves across the United States during the early 2010s because…

Tearing a dollar bill does not make two fifty cent pieces

Internal Revenue Service guidelines explicitly require US taxpayers to declare income generated from bribes, theft, and illegal drug sales on their annual tax returns.

A bigger world.
One discovery
at a time.