Texas Border Business
U.S Department of Justice
Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre has been added to the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Canelon Aguirre is wanted for allegedly leading a large international conspiracy that deploys numerous crews to the U.S. to steal millions of dollars from financial institutions in support of the Tren de Aragua (TdA) transnational gang. TdA is a designated foreign terrorist organization that originated in Venezuela and now operates throughout Latin America and the U.S.
“The money that TdA has stolen from communities across the U.S. is being used to fund numerous criminal activities, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, and violent crimes,” said FBI Omaha Special Agent in Charge Eugene Kowel. “Canelon Aguirre’s leadership in this scheme is directly contributing financially to the whole host of TdA criminal activities.”
Since at least January 2024, Canelon Aguirre and other members of the conspiracy are alleged to have unlawfully enriched themselves by committing ATM jackpotting. In this scheme, malware is installed on ATMs to force the unauthorized withdrawal of cash, after which the stolen cash flows through a complex money laundering network.
“We believe Canelon Aguirre is the developer of this malware that’s targeted hundreds of financial institutions across our country,” said Kowel. “When the malware is installed on ATMs, they can dispense large amounts of cash that are not linked to any individual account. Canelon Aguirre is constantly modifying his malware to defeat protections that financial institutions put on the ATMs and is expanding the range of machines that could be potential targets.”
On December 9, 2025, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Canelon Aguirre in the U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska, Omaha, Nebraska, after he was charged with conspiracy to commit bank fraud; conspiracy to commit bank burglary and intentionally damage a protected computer system; conspiracy to commit money laundering; and conspiracy to provide material support to terrorists.
On March 12, 2026, the FBI added Canelon Aguirre to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list.
Kowel explained what made him a candidate for the list: “He’s evaded law enforcement since around 2017, when ATM jackpotting first began occurring in the U.S. Since that time, there has been over 1,800 jackpotting incidents reported throughout the U.S., with reported losses of over $55 million.
“ATM jackpotting attempts happen in our country almost daily, and he is connected to many of these. We are working hard with all our partners to both identify the individuals responsible and track the money back. He has been on our radar for a while, and we’re hoping that bringing attention to him and to his crimes will help us obtain information, ultimately leading to his apprehension and arrest.”
By investigating Canelon Aguirre, the FBI is also striving to learn more about TdA to take them down.
“It’s important to remember that although this is the first cybercrime subject that has been placed on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, the money that is being stolen is being used to fund a variety of violent crimes, from human trafficking to drug trafficking to weapons trafficking and other crimes,” said Kowel. “We believe by stopping the flow of money by holding people like Canelon Aguirre responsible for their activities, we’ll have a significant role in mitigating the activities of TdA across the country and the globe.”
Canelon Aguirre is 49 years old and has black and gray hair and brown eyes. He is between 5’5” and 5’7” tall and weighs about 190 pounds.
Canelon Aguirre was born in Venezuela and has ties to Venezuela and Mexico. He is known to speak Spanish.
He may also go by the name of Prometheus, The Engineer, Anibal Alexander Aguirre, Anibal A. Canelon-Aguirre, Anibal Alexander Canelon.
The FBI is offering up to $1 million for information leading to Canelon Aguirre’s capture.
If you have any information about Canelon Aguirre please contact the FBI’s toll-free tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324). You may also contact your local FBI office, the nearest American Embassy or Consulate, you can submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
“We’re really hoping this reward will encourage people who may have information about his whereabouts to call us. They can do so anonymously, and they can do so without attribution,” said Kowel. “Any information they provide that can help us identify his location and bring him to justice will be rewarded.”
