Venezuelan Gang Steals Millions from ATMs

A close-up of a map showing Venezuela with a yellow warning sign — MASSIVE ATM HEIST

Illegal Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua members allegedly stole millions from American ATMs using sophisticated malware, funneling the cash straight to terrorist activities right here in the U.S.

Story Highlights

DOJ indicts 31 more suspects, many tied to Tren de Aragua (TdA), bringing the total charged to 87 in the nationwide ATM jackpotting scheme.
Criminals used Ploutus malware to force ATMs to dispense cash, stealing over $40 million to fund TdA terrorism.
Under President Trump’s DOJ, Joint Task Force Vulcan aggressively targets these criminal aliens invading our communities.
Nebraska-led probe exposes TdA’s methodical burglary and cyber tactics, tracing funds to Venezuelan gang leaders.
Financial institutions warned that more arrests and deportations are expected as America fights back against imported crime.

DOJ Strikes Hard Against TdA ATM Heist Network

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed indictments against 31 additional individuals in January 2026, many linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. These suspects participated in a coordinated scheme targeting ATMs across multiple states. Conspirators conducted surveillance on bank and credit union machines, tested security alarms, and broke in to install Ploutus malware.

This malware forced dispensers to spit out cash without traces, netting millions drained from American financial systems. Nebraska served as the operational hub for this cyber-physical robbery ring.

Investigation into International “ATM Jackpotting” Scheme and Tren de Aragua results in Additional Indictment and 87 Total Charged Defendants

“Tren de Aragua is a complex terrorist organization that commits serious financial crimes in addition to horrific rapes, murders, and… pic.twitter.com/g15mbJ4pFw

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) January 26, 2026

Ploutus Malware Funds Terrorist Gang Operations

Teams traveled in convoys to hit ATMs, deploying the malware via thumb drives, hard drive swaps, or external devices. After jackpotting, they split proceeds and laundered funds back to TdA leaders like Jimena Romina Araya Navarro and “Niño Guerrero.”

TdA, born from a 2012 Venezuelan prison break, operates as a designated foreign terrorist organization. The gang recruits operatives for violence, fraud, and cybercrime, now exporting their terror to U.S. soil.

Officials estimate losses exceed $40 million, part of a broader $333 million surge in ATM scams. This operation highlights the direct threat of unchecked illegal immigration fueling crime waves in heartland communities.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche vowed to vigorously prosecute these criminal aliens. Joint Task Force Vulcan leads the charge to dismantle TdA in its entirety.

U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods in Nebraska credited investigators for tracing every dollar to its Venezuelan terror roots. FBI Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel warned that TdA poses a direct national security risk by syphoning American money for terrorist acts.

From Nebraska Indictments to Nationwide Crackdown

A federal grand jury in Nebraska issued the first indictment on December 9, 2025, charging 22 defendants with conspiracy to support terrorists, bank fraud, burglary, computer fraud, and money laundering.

The January announcement added 31 more, bringing the total to 87 across the phased indictments. Acting Assistant Attorney General Matthew R. Galeotti detailed the group’s methodical surveillance and installation tactics designed to fund terrorism.

Suspects face up to 335 years if convicted, with arrests and deportations underway. This builds on prior convictions of Venezuelan ATM hackers, now escalated under Trump’s tough-on-crime DOJ.

Financial institutions received urgent DOJ warnings to bolster ATM defenses against Ploutus variants that erase evidence. Banks and credit unions suffered the brunt, implementing heightened security protocols nationwide.

Midwest communities, especially Nebraska, stand to benefit from reduced TdA presence as funding streams dry up. President Trump’s administration prioritizes deporting criminal aliens, restoring safety eroded by prior open-border policies that allowed gangs like TdA to thrive.

Long-Term Victory Over Imported Terrorism

These indictments disrupt TdA’s U.S. operations in the short term while setting precedents for treating cyber-enabled crimes as terrorism support. Long-term, expect expanded sanctions, more arrests, and stronger defenses in the financial sector. Security experts label jackpotting as a form of cyber-bank robbery with unique terror ties.

FBI analysis frames it as a sophisticated national security issue. Under President Trump, America reasserts sovereignty, protecting families from the violence and theft imported by Venezuelan gangs exploiting weak borders. Law enforcement traced the network from street-level burglars to masterminds, proving relentless pursuit pays off.