If you’re struggling for cash, maybe the idea of robbing a bank has idly entered your mind. Don’t do it! Because a new study by a team of economists shows that it doesn’t make any financial sense whatsoever.
The research, published in the journal Significance, studied bank raids from across the UK and the US in order to work out what makes for successful robberies, and whether it’s a sensible earning strategy in the long-term.
The results show that the average takings per person for a bank raid are just US$4,330 in the US. That compares poorly to the UK, where the average is much higher at £12,706 — almost $20,000. They conclude that, in either country — but especially the US — that means a crook will have to carry out multiple raids to boost a sub-average income.
Statistically speaking, though, that’s not a great idea. Because by the time someone completes their fourth bank job, the probability of being arrested is stacked so well against them that it’s almost a certainty. And there’s nothing like landing up in prison to destroy your earning potential. On balance, the researchers explain, robbing a bank is a poor economic decision.
However, if you do have your heart set on robbing a bank, make sure you’re armed and in a large group, because both result in a bigger haul. In fact the researchers found that for every extra team member, the per person earning increased by around $US6,000. So now you know what do. [Signifacence via PhysOrg]
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