What probably would have happened if the police were involved? This device would have been sealed in an evidence vault while the police investigate, and hardly anybody would ever know about it, whether these particular criminals were found or not.
Instead, it's on the front page of Hacker News, and a LOT more people are aware of how sophisticated skimmers have become, and will be a lot more careful to check for skimmers on ATMs, and probably start warning family members and friends. IMO, this had a much more positive impact overall than anything the police would have done. But perhaps my opinion of police does not apply to Austrian police...
Instead, it's on the front page of Hacker News, and a LOT more people are aware of how sophisticated skimmers have become, and will be a lot more careful to check for skimmers on ATMs, and probably start warning family members and friends. IMO, this had a much more positive impact overall than anything the police would have done. But perhaps my opinion of police does not apply to Austrian police...