ATM Jackpotting ring busted: 54 indicted by DoJ

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted 54 individuals over a nationwide ATM jackpotting scheme that prosecutors say stole millions via malware, with charges including fraud, money laundering and material support to a terrorist organisation. The case links the crimes to the cybercrime group Tren de Aragua, and authorities say the group carried out coordinated burglaries, laundered the stolen money and used part of the proceeds to fund criminal and terrorist activities.

The conspirators used the Ploutus malware to break into ATMs, swapped hard drives or installed external devices to trigger cash withdrawals, and then wiped traces to conceal the attacks. Recruited crews travelled across the United States to scout banks and credit unions and assess ATM security before deploying the malware. Nebraska authorities are highlighted in the case, and some defendants could face sentences ranging from 20 to 335 years in prison if convicted, according to the DoJ press release.

According to United States Attorney Lesley Woods, the investigation involved a coordinated effort by state, federal, and local law enforcement to trace the money and dismantle this international network.