Venezuelan Nationals Charged in $529K ATM Jackpotting Scheme
Four Venezuelan nationals have been arrested and charged in connection with a sophisticated scheme that exploited ATMs along Connecticut’s Interstate 95 and other locations, allegedly siphoning over $529,000 in less than two weeks. Federal prosecutors revealed that the group is accused of using specialized hardware and malware to force cash machines to dispense funds, a technique known as “jackpotting.” The alleged criminal activity took place between August 8 and August 18, 2025.
Sophisticated ATM Heist Uncovered
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut announced the charges against Euclides Moreno Itanare, 28, of Raleigh, North Carolina; Willian Ricardo Flores, 49, of the Bronx, New York; Alberto Jose Freites Arvilla, 41, of Queens, New York; and Luis Jose Freites Arvilla, 38, of Lynn, Massachusetts. All four are citizens of Venezuela and were arrested on June 25. They face charges of interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy.
Authorities stated that the targeted ATMs were located in Milford and Ansonia, as well as at rest stops along I-95 in Fairfield, Branford, Madison, and Darien. The alleged operation was remarkably swift, with substantial sums stolen in a concentrated period.
Details of the Alleged Scheme
Prosecutors detailed how the group allegedly operated. In one instance, a single ATM at the I-95 northbound rest stop in Fairfield reportedly yielded $136,000. Other significant alleged thefts include $84,000 from a southbound rest stop in Madison and $66,400 from a northbound rest stop in Branford. Multiple incidents in Darien are said to have collectively amounted to over $177,000.
The modus operandi, as described by prosecutors, involved a coordinated effort. Typically, one individual would act as a lookout while another accessed the ATM’s internal components after opening its hood. Over several hours, the suspects allegedly took turns collecting the dispensed cash. To evade detection and potentially return to the same machines, court documents suggest the individuals sometimes altered their clothing.
Evidence Gathering and Investigation
The investigation into the jackpotting scheme relied on a combination of digital and physical evidence. Authorities utilized surveillance footage, phone records, and data from Google and Apple accounts. Crucially, investigators reportedly recovered photographs from the suspects’ devices that corroborated the alleged crimes. One suspect’s Apple account allegedly contained images of the targeted ATMs both before and during the thefts, pictures of cash inside a vehicle, and images of money being counted in New York shortly after a Connecticut heist.
An attempt to exploit an ATM at a Cumberland Farms in Ansonia was reportedly thwarted due to a software update that had patched the vulnerability the group intended to use. This suggests a cat-and-mouse game between criminals and financial institutions implementing security measures.
The Rise of ATM Jackpotting
The FBI, with assistance from the Connecticut State Police, Raleigh Police Department, and New York City Police Department, is leading the investigation. Authorities are exploring potential links between this group and other ATM theft incidents across the country. The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI have noted a significant increase in “jackpotting” incidents nationwide. A February report indicated that since 2020, over 1,900 such incidents have been reported, resulting in more than $20 million in losses, with a notable surge in 2025 alone, accounting for over 700 incidents.
Legal Ramifications
All four men are currently in federal custody. If convicted of interstate transportation of stolen property, they face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. The conspiracy charge carries a potential sentence of up to five years. The investigation remains active as authorities seek to determine the full scope of the alleged criminal enterprise and its potential connections to other illicit activities.
Attorneys for Flores, Luis Freites Arvilla, and Alberto Freites Arvilla have been contacted for comment. The case highlights the evolving tactics employed by criminal organizations targeting financial infrastructure and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat these sophisticated operations.
