'Crooks' Reveals Real-Life Criminal Masterminds Behind Riveting Fictional Saga

"Crooks Upon Crooks" on Netflix depicts a criminal plot of robberies and gang warfare across Europe, centering on a stolen 18th-century coin. The series blends excitement with humor, grounding its fictional narrative in a real-life coin heist: the theft of the Big Maple Leaf, a 220-pound gold coin from the Royal Canadian Mint in 2017. The show's creators drew inspiration from the actual heist and crime clans in Berlin, Vienna, and Marseille, ensuring a realistic portrayal of the criminal underworld.

Unveiling the Criminal Masterminds Behind 'Crooks': A Gripping Tale Rooting History in Fiction

Streaming exclusively on Netflix, 'Crooks' unravels a captivating criminal saga that spans three European nations, intricately weaving together heists, gang warfare, and the emotional turmoil of an unsuspecting 18th-century coin thief. This gripping series effortlessly maintains an exhilarating pace, creating a balance between its high-stakes plot and moments of lighthearted humor.

While primarily a fictional crime narrative complete with relatable characters and a believable storyline, the authenticity of 'Crooks' lies in its roots in a stolen historical artifact. The plot revolves around a small gold coin purloined in Berlin by a notorious crime family, setting in motion a chain of events that draws the attention of rival criminal factions. The enigmatic Charly is unknowingly recruited by the Viennes 04/21st for a daring robbery targeting a valuable payroll within the Viennese underworld.

The centerpiece of the show's gold coin intrigue is the Big Maple Leaf, a colossal 220-pound coin minted by the Royal Canadian Mint, estimated to be worth millions. Only six such coins were ever created.

In a daring feat of robbery, the Big Maple Leaf was stolen on March 27, 2017, by a couple assisted by a museum guard. The perpetrators, identified as Ahmed and Wissam Remmo, along with the security guard, Denis W., were eventually sentenced in 2020. The Remmo brothers were linked to the notorious Remmo crime family, one of the most feared in Germany.

Despite the capture and sentencing of the culprits, the Big Maple Leaf remains missing, leading authorities to speculate that the coin, believed to be composed entirely of pure gold, was likely cut in half, as evidenced by recovered gold particles.

The correlation between the actual heist and the underlying plot of 'Crooks' becomes evident, with the only significant deviation being the alteration in the coin's size. Marvin Kren, the show's co-producer, acknowledges this discrepancy, citing the script's requirement for a 100kg gold coin. While the precise details of the heist and its ramifications may differ in the fictionalized narrative of the TV series, they draw inspiration from real-life events and individuals.

'Crooks' stands out as an extraordinary standalone story with a compelling protagonist, capturing the essence of the criminal underworld. Its success stems from its ability to maintain a captivating and intricate plot while grounding it in factual elements.

The narrative interweaves the storylines of three formidable crime syndicates operating in distinct European countries. However, the show's creators went beyond mere fiction, incorporating meticulous research into the nuances of criminal clans in Berlin, Vienna, and Marseille.

Kren, having previously worked on '4 Blocks,' a highly acclaimed crime drama set in Berlin and known for its extensive research, approached this task with a wealth of experience. The showrunners engaged in extensive discussions with individuals intimately familiar with these criminal circles, ensuring that the narrative remained grounded in reality while allowing for fictionalized characters and storylines to flourish.

Charly, the show's central character, is a skilled safe cracker portrayed fictitiously within the show's fictionalized setting. Her unique abilities blend seamlessly into the crime heist genre. Kren explains the appeal of centering the story around the underdog characters of Charly and Joseph, despite Charly's departure from the traditional "Crook story" genre.

While Charly's character may deviate from the conventional tropes of the genre, her journey through cities like Marseille allows her to explore themes commonly associated with the genre, a style often attributed to French directors such as Claude Sautet and Jean-Pierre Melville.

In conclusion, 'Crooks' captivates viewers with its intricate blend of fictionalized narrative and historical events. The creators' commitment to research and their ability to craft believable characters and storylines have resulted in a gripping and authentic portrayal of the criminal underworld.