# Report: 'Jackpotting' Schemes with Ties to Russia Steal Thousands from ATMs
A growing concern for financial institutions and law enforcement agencies across the United States has emerged in recent months, as "jackpotting" schemes - a type of cybercrime where hackers manipulate ATMs into dispensing cash - have stolen thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims.
The U.S. Secret Service defines "jackpotting" as malicious software and/or computer hardware manipulation that allows criminals to exploit ATMs and drain their funds. The consequences can be devastating, with machines potentially draining dry and losing thousands of dollars in the process. Laura Ward, chief risk officer for Firstmark Credit Union, warns that these attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated.
"These days we see all kinds of crimes, but this is a particularly different kind," she said. "The ATMs are really being preyed upon. We call it an attack because it is an attack." According to Ward, the machine will continue to dispense cash until it's drained, with some machines capable of making up to 97 dispenses.
In Houston, Texas, authorities have linked a recent "jackpotting" scheme to individuals with ties to Russia. Two people were arrested earlier this week on suspicion of being part of a jackpotting group with potential connections to the Russian government. While the exact amount stolen from Firstmark Credit Union is not disclosed, Ward emphasized that these crimes can take a significant financial toll on the institution.
The attacks are becoming increasingly organized and coordinated, with alleged criminals manipulating ATMs both on-site and remotely. As surveillance video has shown, the perps come to collect as the machine dispenses cash, highlighting the brazen nature of these cybercrimes.
Ward noted that "it's very organized, and that's one of the things I think is really critical to understand." The attacks are not only a financial concern but also a threat to national security, with some suspected of receiving instructions from a "big boss" located in Russia.
In Marshfield, Wisconsin, three men were recently charged with a December "jackpotting" scheme that stole over $100,000 from a credit union's ATM machine. Jhoenderson D. Rojas Eganez, 27, and Alejandro J. Sevilla Sanabria, 25, are currently in jail on four felony counts of theft from a financial institution, while Worlly W. Garcia Albarracin, 35, of Berwyn, Illinois, has also been charged with similar offenses.
According to online records, arrest warrants were issued for the three men on Wednesday and Thursday, although no court dates have been scheduled. The alleged ringleader, Vitalii Moravel, a Ukrainian war refugee on a humanitarian visa, is believed to receive instructions from a "big boss" in Russia, highlighting the international scope of this criminal operation.
As law enforcement agencies work to combat these cybercrimes, it's essential to raise awareness about the risks and consequences of jackpotting schemes. By understanding the tactics used by these hackers and working together, we can prevent future attacks and protect our financial institutions from these devastating threats.
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