FBI Captured Fugitive Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre
The FBI arrested the first cyber criminal ever featured on its Ten Most Wanted list.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Financial Crime
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The FBI has captured fugitive Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre, marking the first time a cyber criminal from the bureau's Ten Most Wanted list has been taken into custody. Aguirre allegedly led an international conspiracy to steal money from financial institutions to fund the Tren de Aragua transnational gang.
Why it matters
Aguirre's arrest represents a significant milestone in efforts to combat cyber-enabled criminal enterprises that bankroll foreign terrorist organizations. Authorities allege he utilized sophisticated ATM jackpotting schemes to facilitate money laundering for the Tren de Aragua gang.
The FBI captured Aguirre after offering a $1 million reward for information leading to his arrest. This is the tenth fugitive apprehended since January 2025, though the specific circumstances of his detention remain under investigation.
The players
Anibal Alexander Canelon Aguirre
He is a fugitive accused of leading an international conspiracy to fund the Tren de Aragua through cyber-enabled financial crimes.
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States.
Tren de Aragua
This is a transnational criminal organization that the United States government has officially classified as a foreign terrorist organization.
The details
Aguirre is accused of orchestrating complex ATM jackpotting operations, which involve installing malware on machines to force unauthorized cash withdrawals. These stolen funds were reportedly moved through an international money laundering network to support the Tren de Aragua, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization.
Timeline
The FBI announced the capture on X at 11:21pm on Saturday, October 3, 2026.
Ten fugitives from the most wanted list have been captured since January 2025.
Legal Context
The FBI's Ten Most Wanted list has historically focused on violent offenders, but Aguirre's inclusion and capture signal a shift toward prioritizing cyber criminals. This transition reflects the growing threat posed by digital conspiracies that generate illicit revenue for transnational terrorist groups.
The arrest serves as a reminder for the public to remain vigilant against financial fraud involving unauthorized ATM activity. While the primary target has been removed, the FBI continues to maintain the Ten Most Wanted list with $5 million bounties still active for other high-priority fugitives.
The takeaway
Cyber criminals who finance terrorism are increasingly being met with the same federal investigative intensity as traditional violent fugitives. Readers should remain cautious when using public banking hardware and report any suspicious ATM malfunctions to their financial institution immediately.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving threat of digital fraud, visit the Financial Crime section.
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