The FBI has arrested one of its 'most wanted' fugitives, Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, the first cybercriminal ever added to the agency's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Officials in the US issued a statement confirming FBI agents captured Aguirre, with images showing the man in custody on an airfield surrounded by FBI personnel.
First cyber fugitive captured
The FBI made the announcement shortly before midnight on Saturday in the UK, posting on X at 11:21pm: "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 agency also sent a message to fugitives: "These criminals can run, but they cannot hide from this FBI."
Alleged role in ATM jackpotting scheme
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 to fund the 'Tren de Aragua transnational gang'. The gang is officially designated a 'foreign terrorist organisation' by the US government.
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'.
$1 million reward offered
A $1 million reward was offered for information leading directly to his arrest, and he was 'considered armed and dangerous'. Other figures on the most wanted top 10 include members of the Tren de Aragua gang and the MS-13 organised crime group. A $5m bounty is on the head of several members of the list, including Ruja Ignatova, aka the 'Cryptoqueen', allegedly responsible for a massive ponzi scheme.
