MALWARE USED TO INFECT ATMS AND FORCE THEM TO DISPENSE CASH

ATM ‘jackpotting’ incidents rising across US, FBI says

 

By Rob Taub 

 

News Nation

Feb 25, 2026 

 

 

 

The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a warning to Americans about the rise of ATM “jackpotting” across the country.

An analysis found that 700 incidents occurred in 2025 alone and accounted for over $20 million in losses. The FBI has identified about 1,900 jackpotting incidents across the country since 2020.

“This FLASH is being provided to encourage organizations to implement the recommended mitigation steps and to outline the information requested from the public,” the agency says.

The scam involves individuals or groups who use malware to infect ATMs and force them to dispense cash. The FBI’s bulletin says the Ploutus malware can force an ATM to dispense cash without using a bank card, customer account or bank authorization.

“The malware can be used across ATMs of different manufacturers with very little adjustment to the code as the Windows operating system is exploited during the compromise,” the bulletin acknowledged.

Just last week, a federal grand jury in Nebraska charged six people with ATM jackpotting. The Justice Department says this indictment follows a previous one returned in December, alleging that the Tren de Aragua gang conducted jackpotting attacks across the country.