The Department of Justice has charged 17 Iranian nationals with conducting a significant cyber theft campaign. They targeted American universities and government agencies. The alleged activities involved hacking networks to steal intellectual property dating back to 2013.
In related news, Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, a Venezuelan alleged leader of the Tren de Aragua gang, has been returned to U.S. soil. He became the FBI’s first cyber fugitive on its Ten Most Wanted list after being captured last month in Venezuela. Aguirre, known as “Prometheus” and “The Engineer,” appeared in a Nebraska courtroom facing charges related to a multi-million-dollar ATM jackpotting scheme. Aguirre pled not guilty to four federal conspiracy charges and will remain detained in Nebraska awaiting trial, as per the Department of Justice (DOJ).
FBI Director Kash Patel called Aguirre’s return a milestone, marking the 10th Ten Most Wanted fugitive captured since the Trump administration began and the first cyber fugitive on the list. Patel emphasized the relentless pursuit of criminals by stating, “There is nowhere on this planet criminals can hide.” According to Patel, the FBI’s success rate in capturing fugitives has significantly increased, with the current figure more than double the total recorded during the previous four years.
Aguirre allegedly led an international conspiracy to steal millions from financial institutions. This scheme supported the Tren de Aragua through ATM jackpotting techniques. An ATM jackpotting attack exploits ATM vulnerabilities, often using malware, to force machines to dispense cash, according to the DOJ.
The DOJ links the broader ATM jackpotting conspiracy to Tren de Aragua, designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the DOJ has charged nearly 350 members and associates of the Tren de Aragua since the designation.
Blanche remarked on the significance of Aguirre’s capture, calling it a victory for homeland security efforts and task forces pursuing narcoterrorist networks. Aguirre is charged with conspiracy counts involving bank and computer fraud, money laundering, and providing material support to terrorists. The bank fraud charge carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison.
Reporter Alexandria Hoff and Fox News Digital’s Robert McGreevy contributed to this report.