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Venezuelan ‘Ploutus’ ATM malware architect arrested in U.S.

By Drooid · Oct 5, 2026, 4:59 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. authorities arrested Venezuelan Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, architect of ATM-jackpotting malware.
He pleaded not guilty on Oct 2 before Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson in Nebraska.
Prosecutors charged him with bank fraud, computer-based bank burglary, money laundering, and terrorist material support.
He became the first cybercriminal on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list in March 2026.
The Dec 2025 indictment says “Ploutus” malware forced ATMs in 47 states and D.C. to dispense cash.

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Story summary

U.S. authorities arrested Venezuelan Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, architect of ATM-jackpotting malware.
He pleaded not guilty on Oct 2 before Magistrate Judge Michael D. Nelson in Nebraska.
Prosecutors charged him with bank fraud, computer-based bank burglary, money laundering, and terrorist material support.
He became the first cybercriminal on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list in March 2026.
The Dec 2025 indictment says “Ploutus” malware forced ATMs in 47 states and D.C. to dispense cash.