4 Venezuelan Nationals Charged In Huge ATM 'Jackpotting' Scheme In Fairfield: Feds

FAIRFIELD, CT — Four men, all citizens of Venezuela, have been charged in federal court in connection with an alleged ATM "jackpotting" scheme that authorities say stole more than $529,000 from cash machines across Connecticut, including in Fairfield, U.S. Attorney David X. Sullivan and FBI New Haven Special Agent in Charge P.J. O'Brien announced.

The defendants are:

• Euclides Moreno Itanare, 28, of Raleigh, North Carolina
• Willian Ricardo Flores, 49, of the Bronx, New York
• Alberto Jose Freites Arvilla, 41, of Queens, New York
• Luis Jose Freites Arvilla, 38, of Lynn, Massachusetts

According to court documents and statements made in court, the four defendants allegedly conspired with others in August 2025 to steal cash from at least nine ATMs in Connecticut using a method known as "jackpotting." The scheme typically involves specialized hardware and malware that causes an ATM to dispense its stored cash.

Prosecutors allege the defendants targeted ATMs in Milford and Ansonia, as well as Interstate 95 service plazas in Fairfield, Branford, Madison and Darien.

According to investigators, surveillance video shows Luis Freites Arvilla acting as a lookout while Alberto Freites Arvilla opened the ATM cabinet and accessed its internal components before leaving the area. Authorities allege Luis Freites Arvilla, Itanare and Flores then took turns withdrawing cash from the machine over several hours. Prosecutors also allege the defendants changed clothes between transactions to avoid suspicion when returning to the same ATM.

Authorities allege the group stole $529,220 from eight ATMs between Aug. 8 and Aug. 18, 2025. An attempted theft at an ATM in Ansonia was unsuccessful because a software update prevented the attack, according to prosecutors.

The four defendants were arrested June 25 on federal criminal complaints charging each with conspiracy, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and interstate transportation of stolen property, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. They remain in custody.

Federal officials emphasized that a criminal complaint is an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Connecticut State Police, the Raleigh Police Department and the New York City Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel George is prosecuting the case.

Sullivan also acknowledged assistance from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of North Carolina.