Cybercrime Prosecutions: ATM Jackpotting Deportations and Ransomware Guilty Plea
U.S. authorities reported multiple enforcement actions against financially motivated cybercrime. In South Carolina, two Venezuelan nationals convicted in an ATM jackpotting scheme will be deported after serving their sentences; prosecutors said they physically accessed older ATM models, connected a laptop, and installed malware that bypassed security controls to force cash-out until the machines were emptied. The activity impacted banks across several southeastern states, with court-ordered restitution of $285,100 and $126,340 respectively, and investigators said evidence from the case contributed to a broader Nebraska indictment of dozens of individuals tied to a larger ATM-theft conspiracy.
Separately, a Russian national, Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse for leading a ransomware operation that targeted at least 50 victims over a four-year period ending in August 2022; he faces up to 25 years in prison, financial penalties, restitution, and forfeiture, and the plea acknowledges potential immigration consequences. A third item describes convicted Bitcoin thief Ilya Lichtenstein seeking post-release work in cybersecurity, but it is not tied to the ATM jackpotting or Antropenko ransomware case and does not add incident-specific threat intelligence.
Timeline
Jan 23, 2026
DOJ says five other Venezuelans face immediate deportation in related ATM cases
The Justice Department also reported that five additional Venezuelan nationals are subject to immediate deportation over similar ATM jackpotting thefts across multiple U.S. states. The cases involved malware-enabled cash-outs from older ATM models affecting banks in several southeastern states.
Jan 23, 2026
Two Venezuelans sentenced in ATM jackpotting case and face deportation
South Carolina federal prosecutors announced that Luz Granados and Johan Gonzalez-Jimenez, convicted in an ATM jackpotting scheme using a Ploutus malware variant, will be deported after serving their sentences. Gonzalez-Jimenez received 18 months in prison and restitution, while Granados was sentenced to time served with restitution and remains in custody pending deportation.
Jan 23, 2026
South Carolina ATM jackpotting investigation expands to wider federal case
Evidence developed in a South Carolina ATM jackpotting investigation was shared with Nebraska authorities. That information helped support a broader federal case indicting 54 people in a related nationwide ATM jackpotting conspiracy.
Jan 22, 2026
Antropenko pleads guilty in Texas federal court
Antropenko pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas to conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit computer fraud and abuse. Prosecutors said he led the ransomware conspiracy while living in Florida and California, and the Justice Department seized millions in cryptocurrency, cash, and luxury vehicles tied to the case.
Jan 1, 2024
Antropenko violates pretrial release conditions repeatedly
After his 2024 arrest, Antropenko violated his pretrial release conditions at least three times within a four-month period. The violations included two Southern California arrests involving dangerous behavior while under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
Jan 1, 2024
Antropenko arrested in the United States
U.S. authorities arrested Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko in 2024 in connection with the ransomware conspiracy. He was granted bail despite the flight-risk concerns that often arise in ransomware cases.
Aug 1, 2022
Antropenko ransomware crime spree ends
The Antropenko-led ransomware conspiracy concluded in August 2022 after four years of activity. Investigators later tied the operation to money laundering and computer fraud offenses.
Aug 1, 2018
Antropenko-led ransomware conspiracy begins targeting victims
A ransomware conspiracy led by Ianis Aleksandrovich Antropenko operated over a four-year period and ultimately targeted at least 50 victims using variants including Zeppelin and GlobeImposter. The campaign caused at least $1.5 million in victim losses before ending in 2022.
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