News

Authorities take down international ATM jackpotting gang

February 1, 2017

Law enforcement agencies in Europe and Asia, supported by the Europol European Cybercrime Center, have arrested five members of an international criminal group. Three of the five have been convicted, according to a Europol press release.

Gang members allegedly carried out jackpotting attacks in which ATMs were made to dispense all money contained. Losses totaled 3 million euros ($3.24 million), stated the release.

The group's methods allegedly included:

• 􀀁 spear-phishing emails with attachments containing malware
• 􀀁 penetration of the targeted bank's internal networks
• 􀀁 compromise and control of the ATM network
• 􀀁 computer programs that deleted most traces of criminal activity.

Gang members were recruited online; most held multiple citizenship, which allowed them to travel and commit crimes all over the world, the release said.

"The majority of cybercrimes have an international dimension ... ," said Steven Wilson, head of the Europol European Cybercrime Centre, in the release. "Only through a coordinated approach at the global level between law enforcement agencies can we successfully track down the criminal networks behind such large-scale frauds and bring them to justice."