El Atraco (Money Heist): The Real-Life Heist That Inspired the Netflix Series

Netflix's Money Heist (La Casa de Papel) is a Spanish heist series that gained worldwide popularity after its release in 2017.

The show is a fictional tale about a group of robbers who plan and execute a daring heist on the Royal Mint of Spain.

However, the series was not entirely pulled from thin air, and was in fact inspired by a real-life gold heist that took place in Colombia in 1994.

A Daring Robbers

The gold heist occurred at the Banco de la Republica in Bogota, Colombia, and was orchestrated by four men who called themselves "Los Monos" (The Monkeys).

The robbery involved the theft of 33 million dollars worth of gold in the form of bullion and coins.

The robbers entered the bank disguised as security guards, and then held the employees hostage for several hours.

A Complex Scheme

The plan was meticulously planned, and involved the use of tunnels, scuba gear and hostages.

To enter the bank, the robbers dug a tunnel from a nearby building, which allowed them to bypass the main entrance and security measures.

Once inside, they used scuba gear to swim through a flooded vault and retrieve the gold.

Getting Away

After stealing the gold, the robbers fled the bank in a getaway car that was waiting for them outside.

They were able to avoid being caught by the police, and the gold was never recovered.

The heist became one of the most famous and audacious heists in history, and its methods and strategies have been studied by law enforcement and security experts around the world.

Inspiration for the Series

The real-life Banco de la Republica heist was a major influence on the creation of the Netflix series Money Heist.

The show's creators, Alex Pina and Esther Martinez Lobato, were inspired by the audacity and complexity of the real-life heist.

Many of the elements of the show, such as the use of tunnels, hostages, and a getaway car, are directly inspired by the Banco de la Republica heist.

Legacy of the Heist

The Banco de la Republica heist remains one of the most infamous and intriguing heists in history.

The methods used by the robbers were innovative and daring, and the fact that they were able to escape with the gold adds to the legend of the heist.

The heist has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and even a movie.