Asuncion, Dec 18 (IANS/Prensa Latina): After a wave of attacks on cash dispensers by well armed groups with explosives, Paraguayan police fear that Paraguayan and Brazilian criminals are preparing a giant operation to perform the "robbery of the century".

At least three cash dispensers were blasted with explosives in different areas of Gran Asuncion in recent weeks and armed groups used guns and bulletproof vests of the police in some cases, robbing thousands of dollars.

The perpetrators used stolen cars and neutralised security forces positioned in those places. Their actions were recorded by security cameras and broadcast by national television newscasts.

Police said that the perpetrators with extensive criminal records joined Brazilian criminals to carry out the "robbery of the century" taking advantage of the greater circulation of money on the occasion of the year-end celebrations and said that blasting of cash dispensers was just an example.

Commissioner Abel Canete, head of the Economic Crime Department, acknowledged the increasing trend of attacks on cash dispensers since early December, despite the implementation of a special operation to halt these crimes.