Fairfax County police are investigating a late‑night 'jackpotting' theft in Fair Oaks that allegedly resulted in $175,000 being taken from an Apple Federal Credit Union drive‑thru ATM. Surveillance shows repeated visits, a blue Jeep, and at least one person withdrawing cash without a card while holding a phone near the terminal. 'Jackpotting' uses malware or a plug‑in device to force ATMs to dispense cash, and authorities say the incident mirrors similar cases nationwide. Police are asking the public to help identify the suspects.
Late‑Night 'Jackpotting' Heist in Fairfax: Thieves Make Off with $175,000 from Drive‑Thru ATM
Fairfax County police are investigating a late‑night 'jackpotting' theft in Fair Oaks that allegedly resulted in $175,000 being taken from an Apple Federal Credit Union drive‑thru ATM. Surveillance shows repeated visits, a blue Jeep, and at least one person withdrawing cash without a card while holding a phone near the terminal. 'Jackpotting' uses malware or a plug‑in device to force ATMs to dispense cash, and authorities say the incident mirrors similar cases nationwide. Police are asking the public to help identify the suspects.
10:35 AM, 11/18/2025Security
Late‑night 'jackpotting' nets $175,000 from Fairfax ATM
Fairfax County police are investigating a late‑night 'jackpotting' theft in which suspects allegedly forced an Apple Federal Credit Union drive‑thru ATM in Fair Oaks, Virginia, to dispense about $175,000 in cash. Authorities say the incident occurred Oct. 3–4 and matches a growing pattern of cyber‑physical attacks that target ATM hardware and software.
According to the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD), 'jackpotting' involves criminals installing malware or attaching a physical 'black box' to an ATM, then accessing the machine locally or remotely to bypass safeguards and command repeated cash payouts. Surveillance footage shows an individual approach the drive‑thru ATM at about 10:20 p.m. on Oct. 3 and use a key to open the machine; police have not disclosed what occurred inside.
Shortly after midnight on Oct. 4, the same man returned in a blue Jeep and again opened the ATM. Video later shows him coming back about 45 minutes later with a second person; the two spent roughly 15 minutes at the machine while recording their actions on their phones. By about 2 a.m., an unmasked man in the same Jeep began removing cash without inserting a card or touching the keypad, reportedly holding a phone near the terminal as cash was dispensed. He left briefly, returned nine minutes later, and stayed until about 2:44 a.m. as additional withdrawals continued.
FCPD is asking the public to help identify the suspects believed responsible for the $175,000 loss. Officials say this theft reflects a nationwide trend: in 2024 prosecutors in New York indicted six Venezuelan nationals accused of stealing more than $400,000 from several ATMs, and Georgia authorities have pursued suspects in similar schemes targeting standalone gas‑station machines.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Fairfax County police. The FCPD had not immediately replied to media requests for further comment.