Five Hackers Plead Guilty to ATM Jackpotting Scheme
Five individuals have pleaded guilty to federal charges for their involvement in a widespread ATM jackpotting scheme that used malware to force cash machines to dispense funds.
Five Venezuelan nationals have admitted their guilt in a U.S. federal court for their roles in a sophisticated ATM jackpotting operation. The scheme, which involved the use of malicious software, was designed to force ATMs to dispense cash without any legitimate customer transactions. This plea marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to combat financial fraud targeting automated teller machines.
The group, identified as Luis Alberto Velasquez-Artigas, Royder Adrian Figuera-Perez, Javier Mejia Jr., Gabriel Alexjandro Corales-Garcia, and Italo Lizandro Corrales-Carrillo, all pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank larceny. According to court documents, the defendants allegedly traveled from Indiana to Kansas with the specific intent of targeting ATMs they believed were susceptible to malware-based manipulation. Their plan involved physically accessing the machines to install malicious software that would enable remote commands to dispense cash.
This attack method, commonly referred to as jackpotting, differs from traditional card skimming. Instead of compromising card data, jackpotting targets the ATM's internal software, operating system, or hardware components to directly illicit cash. The operation in Kansas, however, was thwarted when the suspects attempted to compromise an ATM in Wamego. Their efforts triggered an alarm, leading to law enforcement intervention before any cash could be dispensed or the malware successfully installed.
Further attempts were made by the group to compromise an ATM in Manhattan, Kansas, but these also proved unsuccessful. The targeted machine did not dispense any cash, and surveillance cameras captured footage of both attempted thefts, which proved crucial in identifying the suspects. Authorities apprehended the group several days later, bringing an end to their immediate criminal activities in the region.
The FBI has been actively tracking the rise of ATM jackpotting incidents across the United States. In a report issued in February 2026, the agency noted that over 1,900 such incidents have been recorded nationwide since 2020. The year 2025 alone saw more than 700 reported incidents, resulting in estimated losses exceeding $20 million, highlighting the significant financial impact of this type of fraud.
U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser emphasized the need for financial institutions to implement preventative measures against these escalating threats. He noted that the defendants allegedly targeted ATMs with perceived design weaknesses. Special Agent in Charge Chris Ormerod of the FBI Kansas City Field Office echoed these concerns, stressing that jackpotting attacks exploit vulnerabilities in ATM technology. Both officials urged banks to invest in robust security updates and protective technologies to prevent unauthorized software installations and remote manipulation.
While Velasquez-Artigas has already received a nine-month prison sentence, the remaining defendants are currently awaiting their sentencing. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag, with the FBI spearheading the investigation. This case underscores the persistent threat of ATM jackpotting and the importance of continuous security enhancements in the financial sector.