TAIPEI -  At least five foreign suspects could be involved in operations that saw over NT$80 million (US$2.49 million) stolen from First Commercial Bank automatic teller machines, investigators said on Wednesday.

Two Russians stole NT$70 million worth of cash from First Bank ATMs and managed to flee the country on Monday. Apart from the two Russian suspects, the other suspects were Caucasian, police stated, citing surveillance footage, local media reported.

The two Russians were identified as a 34-year-old, surnamed Berezovskiy, and a 28-year-old, surnamed Berkman, Apple Daily said.

Police have identified the third suspect - Peregudovs Andrenjs, a 40-year-old Latvian man - using surveillance footage and other evidence, though he is still at large. He has been barred from leaving the country.

The remaining suspects could still be in Taiwan, with one of them likely responsible for illegally withdrawing NT$3.8 million from First Bank’s ATM at Chilin branch. Police say investigations are still underway.

More details on the remaining suspects were yet to be revealed by the police as of press time.

The suspects arrived at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport in two groups on July 8, entering as tourists. They rented a vehicle and then embarked on their illegal operations in multiple locations in Taipei and Taichung.

Their heist was carried out over the next two days, before the two Russian suspects left the country on Monday. -- The China Post/ANN