Detectives are investigating a series of ATM thefts after the $5.3 billion in Fairfax, Va., reported that $175,000 was stolen from one of its branch ATMs last month.
Through their investigation, detectives believe the suspects may be connected to an ATM jackpotting scheme, according to a Nov. 17 statement issued by the Fairfax Police Department.
On Oct. 3 at 10:18 p.m., an unidentified individual approached the drive-up ATM in the 4200 block of Members Way near Fair Oaks and used a key to open the machine. It remains unclear what actions were taken once it was accessed, police investigators said.
That same individual returned on Oct. 4 at 12:28 a.m., driving a late-model blue Jeep, and again opened the ATM. Around 1:15 a.m., two suspects, including the original individual, arrived in the same Jeep and accessed the ATM for about 15 minutes while appearing to record it with their phones.
By 2 a.m., an unmasked suspect in the same Jeep began withdrawing cash without inserting a card or touching the ATM. He held a phone toward the machine while removing cash, left briefly and returned at 2:09 a.m., remaining until 2:44 a.m. as the cash withdrawals continued, according to police.
Detectives who are investigating this case have asked for the public’s help identifying the ATM jackpotting suspects that were photographed during the heist.
Apple FCU did not respond to a CU Times request for comment.
After opening an ATM with a key, thieves typically install malware or a black box device that overrides the machine’s security system by using a USB drive or intercepting communications between the ATM and its network with a mobile device, according to police and court documents about ATM jackpotting incidents reported by CU Times.
David Tente, executive director of the ATM Industry Association (ATMIA) in Sioux City, S.D., reported ATM jackpotting attacks are on the rise throughout the country. In 2023, 200 such attacks resulted in $6 million in losses. By November 2024, that number had increased to 300 attacks, also totaling $6 million losses. Tente cited this data from the U.S. Secret Service, which hosted a Skimming and Payment Terminal Attack group meeting held in Fort Worth, Texas last year.
Contact Peter Strozniak at peter.strozniak@cutimes.com.
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