U.S. DOJ Charges 54 in ATM Jackpotting Scheme Using Ploutus Malware
TL;DR
The U.S. DOJ indicted 54 individuals for an ATM jackpotting scheme using Ploutus malware, linked to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which faces sanctions for various crimes.
Source: The Hacker News
The U.S. Department of Justice (DoJ) Dec. 18 announced the indictment of 54 individuals in connection with a multi-million dollar ATM jackpotting scheme. The large-scale conspiracy involved deploying malware named Ploutus to hack into automated teller machines (ATMs) across the U.S. and force them to dispense cash. The indicted members are alleged to be part of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. In Jul. 2025, the U.S. government announced sanctions against the group's head, Hector Rusthenford Guerrero Flores (aka Niño Guerrero), and five other key members for their involvement in the "illicit drug trade, human smuggling and trafficking, extortion, sexual exploitation of women and children, and money laundering, among other criminal activities." Full Story