ANIBAL Alexander Canelon Aguirre, a Venezuelan national also known by the aliases “Prometheus” and “The Engineer,” appeared in a Nebraska district court on 7 October 2026 after being arrested by federal authorities. The 50-year-old is alleged to be the mastermind behind the Ploutus ATM malware, which investigators say criminals have used to empty cash from ATMs.
Aguirre pleaded not guilty to multiple charges and remains in detention ahead of trial, while the Department of Justice continues prosecutions against numerous others linked to the ATM jackpotting scheme.
The case follows months of federal pursuit, with the FBI indicating that Aguirre played a central role in Ploutus, a powerful tool enabling criminals to hijack an ATM’s cash dispensing mechanism. Investigators describe the modus operandi as criminals opening the top of an ATM, connecting a personal device, and using the malware to forcibly withdraw money.
While the DOJ has charged and secured convictions against dozens of individuals involved in ATM jackpotting, Aguirre’s court appearance marks a prominent step in the ongoing enforcement action. The federal authorities had placed him on the FBI’s Top 10 Most Wanted Fugitives list in March, highlighting the high-profile nature of the case. Authorities will proceed with further proceedings as evidence is presented and the trial progresses.