The scam artists were caught attempting to hack Citizens Bank ATMs in Cromwell, Connecticut
HARTFORD, Connecticut — They were aiming for a jackpot but crapped out in the eyes of the law.
Two men have been charged with running a high-tech “jackpotting” scheme in which they allegedly posed as ATM repairmen to install malware on cash machines causing them to suddenly spew out cash.
ATMS can hold up to $50,000 at a time.
Federal prosecutors say they believe that Alex Alberto Fajin-Diaz, 31, of Spain, and Argenys Rodriguez, 21, of Springfield, Massachusetts are behind a string of recent jackpot heists in Connecticut and Rhode Island.
They were finally caught in Jan. 27, when employees of a Citizens Bank in Cromwell, Connecticut called police to report what they believed was an attack on an ATM in progress.
When cops arrived, they found Fajin-Diaz and Rodriguez holding bag in front of an ATM that was spitting out $20 bills.
A search of their car revealed tools and electronic devices that could be used for such a jackpotting scheme as well as $9,000 in $20 bills. The car also bore stolen license plates.
The two men face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
