The FBI has arrested Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, the first cybercriminal ever placed on its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, and returned him to the United States to face trial. The agency announced the capture late on Friday, posting images online showing a man in custody on an airfield, surrounded by FBI personnel.
Arrest announced with stark warning
In a statement accompanying the photos, the FBI said: “Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre is the 10th Ten Most Wanted fugitive captured by this FBI since January 2025. He is the first ever Cyber fugitive on FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Now he’s back in the United States to face justice.”
The announcement was made shortly before midnight on Saturday in the UK. The FBI also posted a message on X at 11:21pm: “These criminals can run, but they cannot hide from this FBI.”
Accused of leading international conspiracy
Aguirre, a Venezuelan national, is accused of allegedly leading a large international conspiracy that deploys numerous crews to the United States to steal millions of dollars from financial institutions. The proceeds are said to fund the Tren de Aragua transnational gang, which the US government has officially designated a foreign terrorist organisation.
His most wanted notice said Aguirre was sought in connection with ATM jackpotting, a scheme where malware is installed on ATMs to force the unauthorised withdrawal of cash, after which the stolen cash flows through a complex money laundering network.
Reward and other fugitives
A $1 million reward was offered for information leading directly to his arrest. He was considered armed and dangerous.
Other figures on the most wanted top 10 include other members of the Tren de Aragua gang, as well as the MS-13 organised crime group. A $5m bounty is on the head of several members of the list, including Ruja Ignatova, also known as the ‘Cryptoqueen’, allegedly responsible for a massive ponzi scheme.
