FBI Seeks Venezuelan man accused of leading international ATM malware scheme

OMAHA, Neb. — Federal authorities are searching for a Venezuelan man accused of leading an international scheme that allegedly used malware to steal millions of dollars from ATMs in the United States, with the proceeds allegedly supporting the Tren de Aragua transnational gang.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1,000,000 for information leading directly to the arrest of Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre. He is also known by the aliases “Prometheus” and “The Engineer,” and has been identified with the names Anibal Alexander Aguirre, Anibal A. Canelon-Aguirre, and Anibal Alexander Canelon.

Authorities said Canelon Aguirre is wanted for allegedly leading a large international conspiracy that deployed numerous crews to the United States to steal money from financial institutions. Investigators allege the activity supported Tren de Aragua, described as a transnational gang and a designated foreign terrorist organization that originated in Venezuela and now operates throughout Latin America and the United States.

According to authorities, since at least January of 2024, Canelon Aguirre and other members of the conspiracy allegedly unlawfully enriched themselves through “ATM jackpotting,” a scheme in which malware is installed on ATMs to force unauthorized cash withdrawals. Investigators allege the stolen cash then moved through a complex money laundering network.

A federal arrest warrant was issued Dec. 9, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska in Omaha after Canelon Aguirre was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud; conspiracy to commit bank burglary and intentionally damage a protected computer system; conspiracy to commit money laundering; and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.

The case is being investigated as part of Joint Task Force Vulcan in conjunction with the Department of Justice’s Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section.

Canelon Aguirre has ties to Venezuela and Mexico and is known to speak Spanish, authorities said.

The FBI description lists him as a Venezuelan national born May 15, 1976, in Venezuela, with black and gray hair and brown eyes. He is described as 5-foot-5 to 5-foot-7 and about 190 pounds.