The Justice Department announced Monday that it has charged 31 additional individuals in a sprawling nationwide ATM fraud scheme that prosecutors say funneled millions of dollars to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization.
Federal prosecutors say many of the newly charged defendants are affiliated with Tren de Aragua, bringing the total number of people charged in the case to 87, according to a department press release.
Court documents filed in Nebraska allege that members of the conspiracy used a sophisticated malware known as Ploutus to hijack ATMs across the United States in a method known as “jackpotting.” The malware allows criminals to issue unauthorized commands to ATM systems and force machines to dispense cash on demand.
According to prosecutors, conspirators would first test whether tampered ATMs triggered a law enforcement response. Once they confirmed there was no immediate intervention, they allegedly inserted a thumb drive containing the malware into the machines, draining them of cash.
The DOJ says the operation was coordinated on a national level, with recruiters allegedly pulling in Tren de Aragua members to physically deploy the malware at ATMs in multiple states.
“Tren de Aragua uses ATM jackpotting crimes committed all across America to fund its terrorist organization which is responsible for horrific crimes such as human trafficking, including sex trafficking of children in Nebraska, kidnapping, murder and other unspeakably evil and violent acts,” said U.S. Attorney Lesley A. Woods for the District of Nebraska. “This office will fight TdA directly by taking every action at our disposal to shut down their financial pipeline and handicap their ability to terrorize American communities.”
The case was investigated by the Homeland Security Task Force in coordination with state and local law enforcement agencies nationwide.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said the indictments reflect an aggressive effort to dismantle foreign criminal networks operating inside the U.S.
“The Justice Department and Homeland Security Task Force partners busted a large ring of criminal aliens allegedly engaged in a nationwide conspiracy to enrich themselves and the TdA terrorist organization by ripping off American citizens,” Blanche said in a statement on X.
The Justice Department and Homeland Security Task Force partners bust a large ring of criminal aliens allegedly engaged in a nationwide conspiracy to enrich themselves and the TdA terrorist organization by ripping off American citizens.
After committing bank robbery, fraud, and… pic.twitter.com/oGAfo8XK5S
— Todd Blanche (@DAGToddBlanche) January 26, 2026
“After committing bank robbery, fraud, and other serious crimes, they will be vigorously prosecuted and held accountable,” he said. “DOJ will not stop until it completely dismantles and destroys TdA and other foreign terrorists that import chaos to America.”
Monday’s charges follow a previous indictment returned on Dec. 9, which accused Tren de Aragua of orchestrating jackpotting attacks across the country. That earlier indictment charged 22 defendants with a range of offenses, including conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists, bank fraud, bank burglary, computer-related fraud, and money laundering.
Prosecutors alleged that Tren de Aragua used the stolen cash to finance its operations while moving money among members and associates to conceal its illegal origins.
DOJ LAYS OUT EVIDENCE OF ‘PREDATORY INCURSION’ BY VENEZUELAN GANG IN APPEALS COURT HEARING
The DOJ says the ATM fraud scheme is part of a broader pattern of organized, tech-enabled financial crime. According to the FBI, scammers stole an estimated $333 million through bitcoin ATM scams last year alone, underscoring the growing role of ATMs in large-scale criminal activity.
Federal officials say the investigation remains ongoing and additional charges are possible.
