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In Just A Few Hours, Cyberthieves Across The Globe Stole $45 Million From ATM's
By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published May 9, 2013
Modified May 9, 2013
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By
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Published May 9, 2013
Modified May 9, 2013
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Two highly-sophisticated cyber-thefts made off with $45 million, federal prosecutors in Brooklyn allege, comparing the robbery to the theft at the center of "Ocean’s 11.” In New York alone, thieves made thousands of fraudulent ATM transactions, taking home $2.4 million in just 10 hours.
The robbery was the work of a global network operating in "two dozen countries acting in close coordination and with surgical precision." The hackers were able to steal data from banks, then use that information to raise the withdrawal limit of prepaid debit cards. The account numbers connected to the debit cards, which were managed by independent companies in India and distributed by a bank in the United Arab Emirates, were then distributed to "individuals in 20 countries who then encoded the information on magnetic stripe cards."
What's the encoding was done, the thieves went wild.
On February 19th in Manhattan, "a team of eight people made 2,904 withdrawals, stealing $2.4 million." The ringleader of the Manhattan withdrawal-team, or "cashing crews,” were led by Alberto Lajud-Pena, 23, who was found dead in the Dominican Republic on April 27. Prosecutors there believe he was murdered.
Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn charged eight members of the New York crew today, with law enforcement agencies in several countries, including Japan, Canada, Germany and Romania, still investigating who the ringleader of the theft was.
On surveillance film, investigators watched as the New York "cashing crew" walked around from ATM to ATM with heavier and heavier bags. They then spent the money on luxury items like Rolex's and Mercedes cars. Authorities have now begun to spoil the fun, seizing these possessions.
Loretta E. Lynch, the United States attorney in Brooklyn told media that “In the place of guns and masks, this cybercrime organization used laptops and the Internet.”
Laptops and Internet all the way to the bank.
Tagged
atm
crime
cybercrime
ocean's 11
robbery
theft
Max Rivlin-Nadler
Max Rivlin-Nadler has been a contributor to Gothamist since 2013. He has also reported for the New York Times, NPR, and The Intercept. His years-long investigation into New York City's arcane civil forfeiture laws led to a series of reforms which altered a practice that had been taking millions from poor communities for decades. Recently, he brought back a surfing habit from a few years on the west coast, and would love to see you all out in the Rockaways.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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