For the net impact to the economy it depends on few things. What did suppliers do in response? If suppliers believed there was a nickel reserve that could pote

For the net impact to the economy it depends on few things. What did suppliers do in response? If suppliers believed there was a nickel reserve that could potentially enter the market, they would be less likely to choose strategies such as constraining supply in order to increase prices which helps consumers of nickel. However, they also would be less motivated to store up surplus nickel of their own that would help alleviate natural shortages. The other thing to consider is that we think the nickel did exist at some point in time, so in this case crime did pay. Therefore the thieves' ill-gotten gains will have increased their capacity to carry out future scams.