U.S. federal authorities have uncovered a major criminal network comprising 87 individuals connected to Tren de Aragua, a designated foreign terrorist organization from Venezuela. The group, primarily composed of Venezuelan and Colombian nationals, orchestrated a sophisticated nationwide ATM theft scheme using malware called Ploutus. The criminals systematically targeted ATM machines, employing advanced hacking techniques to force cash dispensing.

They conducted careful surveillance of bank locations and manipulated ATM hardware to install malware. The stolen millions were funneled to support the organization's violent activities, including human trafficking, kidnapping, and murder.

The indictment charges the 87 defendants with multiple federal offenses: material support to terrorism, bank burglary, fraud, money laundering, and unauthorized computer access. This prosecution represents part of an extensive law enforcement effort to dismantle Tren de Aragua's operations in the United States.