A Michigan-based bank has reportedly lost tens of thousands of dollars in just 24 hours to thieves running an advanced ATM scheme.
Authorities are charging Florida residents Robert R. Rosales Rivero and Geniver Antonio Pinuela Testa with conspiracy to commit bank theft and bank theft in violation of federal law for allegedly draining $107,635 from multiple Isabella Bank ATMs, reports MLive.
An affidavit by a Homeland Security special agent alleges that the duo executed an “ATM jackpotting” operation in a single day, infecting the hard drives of Isabella Bank ATMs with malware to trick the machines into releasing cash.
The agent says the ploy involves one person using a key to open an ATM and applying glue on its sensors before leaving for a short period to wait for the adhesive to take effect. The person would return to either change the ATM’s hard drive or use a device to corrupt its system. The other half of the duo would subsequently arrive with a mobile phone and a keyboard to control the machine to dispense cash.
The alleged thieves were careful not to leave any trace of tampering.
Isabella Bank’s surveillance video footage shows that four ATM locations across Michigan were hit between 1 a.m. and 8:09 p.m. on September 22nd.
Using facial recognition software, authorities identified Testa as a potential suspect. He had been cited earlier this year for speeding while driving a 2011 Toyota Yaris.
The lead helped police locate the alleged thieves in Minnesota, where they pulled over a Yaris with Testa and Rivero as occupants. Inside the car, authorities found a superglue, ATM keys, a mobile phone, a laptop and an electronic device. The police also searched the duo’s hotel room, where they found about $8,000 in cash, latex gloves, a flash drive and a hard drive.
Testa and Rivero were charged in Minnesota but managed to post bail. Rivero is now in custody following a court appearance, while Testa remains at large. Both are Venezuelan nationals who arrived in the US legally.
Isabella Bank has 35 branches across Michigan and $2.1 billion in total assets.
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