Samsung factory suffers massive $38.4 million robbery: 40,000 computers, smartphones and tablets stolen

Samsung Electronics has suffered a dramatic robbery, during which around 200 staff were taken hostage, with 40,000 devices worth around $A38.4 million stolen from the tech giant.

According to a report in Portuguese-language newspaper Estadao, a gang of around 30 robbers wearing company uniforms hijacked a van carrying staff to Samsung factory in the Brazilian city of Sao Paulo.

Once inside the facility, the gang ordered staff and guards working at the factory into a room, where they were ordered to hand over weapons and mobile phone batteries, but otherwise weren’t harmed. The staff were then told to return to their regular duties in order to avoid suspicion.

The robbers then proceeded to steal 40,000 devices, including computers, smartphones and tablets, which were loaded on to forklifts before being driven away on eight trucks.

Local police say the robbers had inside information about the facility, including where the most valuable equipment was kept.

Samsung says it will assist police with their investigations.