International ATM Jackpotting Schemes

Developing StoryLast updated JUN 4
SUMMARY

Two members of the Tren de Aragua gang were sentenced in Mississippi on May 21, 2026, to 10-month prison terms and ordered to pay restitution for reprogramming ATMs and stealing $47,000. As of May 21, 2026, law enforcement efforts have led to charges against 93 individuals, many with ties to the Tren de Aragua organization, for ATM jackpotting schemes across the U.S. The FBI reported over 700 incidents in 2025, resulting in more than $20 million in losses, and has added alleged scheme leader Anibal Aguirre to its Ten Most Wanted list. Separately, Ahmon Hogg and Seth Coles-Body pleaded guilty to a multi-state ATM heist scheme involving over $768,900 in stolen funds.

Timeline

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May 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Two members of the Tren de Aragua gang were sentenced in Mississippi for reprogramming ATMs to dispense cash, stealing $47,000.

    Two members of the Tren de Aragua gang were sentenced in Mississippi for reprogramming ATMs to dispense cash, stealing $47,000. They received 10-month prison sentences and were ordered to pay restitution, with deportation to follow.

April 2026 — 6 developments

  1. The Justice Department announced nationwide arrests and charges against over 90 individuals involved in ATM jackpotting schemes.

    The Justice Department announced nationwide arrests and charges against over 90 individuals involved in ATM jackpotting schemes. Anibal Aguirre, allegedly leading an international scheme linked to the Tren de Aragua organization, was added to the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, marking the first cybercriminal to be featured. The FBI reported over $20 million in losses in 2025 due to these operations.

  2. Three Dallas men were charged on April 1, 2026, in connection with an ATM malware scheme in Tyler, Texas, and potentially other states.

    Three Dallas men were charged on April 1, 2026, in connection with an ATM malware scheme in Tyler, Texas, and potentially other states. The men are accused of using 'jackpotting' to remotely cause ATMs to dispense cash. This is part of a larger trend where the FBI reported over 700 incidents in 2025, resulting in over $20 million in losses.

  3. Six individuals have been charged in Nebraska for their alleged roles in a large conspiracy to deploy malware and steal millions from ATMs across the U.

    Six individuals have been charged in Nebraska for their alleged roles in a large conspiracy to deploy malware and steal millions from ATMs across the U.S. These indictments are part of a broader law enforcement effort that has charged 93 defendants as of early 2026, many with ties to Venezuela and Colombia. The criminal organizations allegedly use the stolen funds to finance other illicit activities, such as kidnapping and human trafficking.

  4. The FBI reported over 700 ATM jackpotting incidents in 2025, resulting in more than $20 million in losses.

    The FBI reported over 700 ATM jackpotting incidents in 2025, resulting in more than $20 million in losses. In response, law enforcement has charged 93 individuals, many of Venezuelan and Colombian origin, in connection with these operations, some linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.

  5. An international ATM jackpotting scheme linked to the Tren de Aragua terrorist organization has resulted in 93 defendants being charged, with total losses exceeding $6 million.

    An international ATM jackpotting scheme linked to the Tren de Aragua terrorist organization has resulted in 93 defendants being charged, with total losses exceeding $6 million. Separately, a Chilean national pleaded guilty to ATM robberies across California, Oregon, and Washington, stealing over $5 million.

  6. Ahmon Hogg and Seth Coles-Body have pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery and two counts of attempted bank robbery in a multi-state ATM heist scheme.

    Ahmon Hogg and Seth Coles-Body have pleaded guilty to four counts of bank robbery and two counts of attempted bank robbery in a multi-state ATM heist scheme. Prosecutors are recommending at least 10 years in prison each and have agreed to $768,900 in restitution for the scheme that spanned six states and stole over $768,900.

February 2026 — 2 developments

  1. Two Texas men, Ahmon Hogg and Seth Coles-Body, have pleaded guilty to charges related to a multi-state ATM heist scheme.

    Two Texas men, Ahmon Hogg and Seth Coles-Body, have pleaded guilty to charges related to a multi-state ATM heist scheme. The scheme involved disabling ATMs and then assaulting or threatening technicians to steal cash cassettes. Their sentencing is scheduled for April.

  2. Seven Venezuelan nationals have been arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for allegedly tampering with an ATM as part of a jackpotting scheme.

    Seven Venezuelan nationals have been arrested in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for allegedly tampering with an ATM as part of a jackpotting scheme. Authorities are investigating an organized criminal group linked to multiple ATM jackpotting attempts across the country, with ties to Venezuela and Mexico.

January 2026 — 6 developments

  1. Federal authorities have indicted a total of 87 individuals, including 31 new defendants, for a massive international ATM 'jackpotting' scheme.

    Federal authorities have indicted a total of 87 individuals, including 31 new defendants, for a massive international ATM 'jackpotting' scheme. Many of those charged are Venezuelan and Colombian nationals linked to the Tren de Aragua gang.

  3. Five Venezuelan nationals have been convicted for an ATM 'jackpotting' conspiracy across Georgia, with three already sentenced.

    Five Venezuelan nationals have been convicted for an ATM 'jackpotting' conspiracy across Georgia, with three already sentenced. Additionally, Luz Granados and Johan Gonzalez-Jimenez were convicted for using laptops to install malware on ATMs and will be deported after serving their sentences.

  4. Quinnland Jerome Rhodess, Emuel Wade Tomkins, and Deron Skinner were sentenced for a separate multi-…

    Quinnland Jerome Rhodess, Emuel Wade Tomkins, and Deron Skinner were sentenced for a separate multi-state ATM heist scheme that involved using pickup trucks and chains to physically open ATMs in Florida, Oregon, and Missouri, causing over $350,000 in damages. Tomkins received four years, Skinner three years, and Rhodess two years.

  5. The Department of Justice announced the busting of the multi-state ATM 'jackpotting' ring, detailing the pleas and sentences of the Venezuelan nationals involved.

    The Department of Justice announced the busting of the multi-state ATM 'jackpotting' ring, detailing the pleas and sentences of the Venezuelan nationals involved.

  6. Hector Alejandro Alvarado Alvarez and Cesar Augusto Gil Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and face a maximum of 30 years in prison.

    Hector Alejandro Alvarado Alvarez and Cesar Augusto Gil Sanchez pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud and face a maximum of 30 years in prison. Javier Alejandro Suarez-Godoy was sentenced to time served.

September 2025 — 1 developments

  1. David Josfrangel Suarez-Sanchez was sentenced to ten months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

    David Josfrangel Suarez-Sanchez was sentenced to ten months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Javier Alejandro Suarez-Godoy also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

June 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Giobriel Alexander Valera-Astudillo was sentenced to ten months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

    Giobriel Alexander Valera-Astudillo was sentenced to ten months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud.

November 2024 — 1 developments

  1. The Hazard Police Department in Kentucky received a burglary alarm at a Peoples Bank ATM, indicating further reach of the 'jackpotting' scheme.

    The Hazard Police Department in Kentucky received a burglary alarm at a Peoples Bank ATM, indicating further reach of the 'jackpotting' scheme.

October 2024 — 2 developments

  1. A Morven Police Department officer stopped a car driven by Suarez-Sanchez and Varela-Astudillo.

    A Morven Police Department officer stopped a car driven by Suarez-Sanchez and Varela-Astudillo. The officer recognized the vehicle from surveillance footage of an ATM theft, leading to a 'be on the lookout' (BOLO) alert. The Georgia State Patrol (GSP) subsequently stopped the car, arresting Varela-Astudillo and Suarez-Sanchez. Law enforcement found stacks of cash and computer equipment used in the thefts, and fingerprints matched Alvarado Alvarez and Suarez-Godoy.

  2. Hector Alejandro Alvarado Alvarez, David Josfrangel Suarez-Sanchez, and Giobriel Alexander Varela-As…

    Hector Alejandro Alvarado Alvarez, David Josfrangel Suarez-Sanchez, and Giobriel Alexander Varela-Astudillo accessed or attempted to access ATM machines in Hahira, Morven, and Valdosta, Georgia, stealing $33,000 from an ATM in Morven and $18,000 from an ATM in Valdosta.

September 2024 — 1 developments

  1. The FBI began investigating ATM 'jackpotting' thefts that occurred between September 14 and Septembe…

    The FBI began investigating ATM 'jackpotting' thefts that occurred between September 14 and September 16, 2024, at Peoples South Bank ATMs in Macon, Americus, and Albany, Georgia, with failed attempts in Bainbridge, Georgia, and Tallahassee, Florida. A total of $24,000 was stolen from Peoples South Bank ATMs.

January 2024 — 1 developments

  1. Two men have been sentenced for their involvement in an ATM jackpotting scheme in Minnesota.

    Two men have been sentenced for their involvement in an ATM jackpotting scheme in Minnesota. This sentencing is part of broader efforts by the Department of Justice and the FBI to dismantle international ATM jackpotting operations.