Venezuelan National Sentenced to 8 Years for ATM Jackpotting Scheme

Record Sentence for ATM Jackpotting

Juan Manuel Gouveia-Aguilera, a 27-year-old Venezuelan national, has been sentenced to 8 years (96 months) in federal prison. The US Justice Department announced that this sentence is believed to be the longest federal term imposed for an individual's role in ATM jackpotting. Gouveia-Aguilera also received 5 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay restitution for over $3.5 million in losses.

Charges and Guilty Plea

Gouveia-Aguilera pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud, bank burglary, and cyber-enabled fraud. These charges stem from his participation in an ATM jackpotting scheme that caused significant financial damage. The court found him responsible for more than $3.5 million in losses.

Broader Context of ATM Attacks

This sentencing follows similar cases, including two other Venezuelan nationals who recently received 78-month prison sentences for their roles in ATM jackpotting. Gouveia-Aguilera is one of 119 individuals charged in Nebraska for such crimes, with suspects believed to be working on behalf of the Venezuelan organization Tren de Aragua (TdA).

ATM jackpotting attacks typically involve physically accessing the ATM's internal components, connecting a laptop, and installing malware. This malware then instructs the ATM to dispense all its cash. The FBI reported an increase in these malware-enabled attacks in the United States earlier this year, with approximately 1,900 incidents reported since 2020, resulting in over $20 million in losses last year.