Leader of ATM Jackpotting Conspiracy that Funneled Money to Tren de Aragua Added to the FBI’s List of Ten Most Wanted Fugitives
OMAHA / March 12, 2026 – FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel and U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska Lesley Woods announced today that Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Canelon Aguirre is wanted for allegedly leading a large international conspiracy that deploys numerous crews to the U.S. to steal millions of dollars from financial institutions in support of transnational gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), a designated foreign terrorist organization.
Since at least January of 2024, Canelon Aguirre and other members of the conspiracy are alleged to have unlawfully enriched themselves by committing ATM jackpotting, a scheme where malware is installed on ATMs to force the unauthorized withdrawal of cash, after which the stolen cash flows through a complex money laundering network.
Select image to view wanted poster and additional information.
On December 9, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Canelon Aguirre in the U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, after he 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. This case is being investigated as part of Joint Task Force Vulcan in conjunction with the Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division.
"Canelon Aguirre led a vast conspiracy to commit cyber attacks against financial institutions in communities across our country on behalf of Tren de Aragua. He and his associates generated a multimillion-dollar revenue stream ultimately funding a foreign terrorist organization," said Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel of the FBI Omaha Field Office. "The FBI’s ‘Ten Most Wanted Fugitives’ list highlights the seriousness of Canelon Aguirre’s criminal conduct both at home and abroad. We are asking for the public’s help in our efforts to apprehend, arrest, and hold Canelon Aguirre accountable for his crimes. The addition of Canelon Aguirre to the list, a first for a cyber criminal, emphasizes our commitment to follow the money and surge resources to stop the threat posed by TdA members and leadership. We will continue driving hard with our partners to identify, disrupt, and dismantle their network here and abroad."
U.S. Attorney Lesley Woods said, "Canelon Aguirre is the alleged mastermind behind the malware that Tren de Aragua deployed against federally insured banks across the United States of America to raise millions of dollars for the terrorist organization. Without the malware, these crimes would not have been possible. Canelon Aguirre is a threat to national security, and information leading to his arrest would make Nebraska and the rest of the country safer. Arresting Canelon Aguirre would financially devastate TdA, one of the most violent and most active terrorist organizations operating within the United States today. If you have any information that could help the FBI arrest this dangerous individual, I urge you to contact the FBI immediately."
Canelon Aguirre should be considered armed and dangerous. Canelon Aguirre is a 49-year-old male with black and gray hair, standing between 5’5” and 5’7” tall, and weighing approximately 190 pounds. Canelon Aguirre has ties to Venezuela and Mexico and is known to speak Spanish. Additional information and wanted posters can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $1 million for information leading directly to the arrest of Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre. Anyone with information concerning Canelon Aguirre should contact the FBI’s toll-free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov. All information can remain anonymous, and confidentiality is guaranteed.
Canelon Aguirre is the first cyber fugitive and 540th addition to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list since its establishment in March 1950. Since then, 500 fugitives have been apprehended or located, to include 163 as a result of citizen cooperation. Seven fugitives from the Omaha Field Office area of responsibility in Nebraska and Iowa have been added to the list since 1950.
FBI Omaha
Public Affairs
omaha.media@fbi.gov
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
