Authorities in Virginia are on the hunt for a group of suspects involved in a sophisticated theft operation that netted $175,000 from an ATM, part of a growing criminal phenomenon known as “jackpotting.”

This method involves cyber-physical tactics where criminals manipulate ATMs by installing malware or a “black box” device into the system, explained the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). By either physically connecting to or remotely accessing the machine, these thieves can bypass security protocols, prompting the ATM to release significant amounts of cash.

The crime spree unfolded on October 3rd at an Apple Federal Credit Union drive-thru ATM in Fair Oaks, a suburban area of Fairfax. Around 10:20 p.m., an unidentified man approached the machine and used a key to open it, though what transpired inside remains unclear, according to a police statement.

Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance in identifying those responsible for the theft from the Apple Federal Credit Union ATM, which took place last month. The incident, labeled as “jackpotting,” has raised concerns in Fairfax, Virginia.

Police report that the same individual returned to the ATM at approximately 12:30 a.m. the next day, this time driving a blue Jeep. He accessed the ATM once more.

Surveillance footage later captured the suspect revisiting the ATM just 45 minutes later, accompanied by a second individual. The duo spent about 15 minutes at the machine, recording their actions on their phones, according to police reports.

By 2 a.m., an unmasked suspect driving the same Jeep arrived at the ATM and began withdrawing cash without inserting a card or touching the machine, all while holding his phone near the device, according to authorities. 

The thieves allegedly walked away with $175,000 in cash after police say they targeted an ATM at an Apple Federal Credit Union bank in Fairfax, Virginia, last month. (Fairfax County Police Department)

The individual briefly left, but returned nine minutes later and stayed until 2:44 a.m. as withdrawals continued, police said.

The Fairfax County Police Department is now asking for the public’s help in identifying the suspects, who allegedly made off with $175,000 in cash from the ATM. 

The incident is not the first to make national headlines in recent years. 

“Jackpotting” is described as a cyber-physical crime in which thieves access an ATM using malware or a physical “black box” to withdraw large sums of cash.  (iStock)

In 2024, six Venezuelan nationals were indicted in federal court after prosecutors say they stole over $400,000 in cash from four separate ATMs throughout New York, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Northern District of New York.

Similarly, authorities in Georgia asked for the public’s help as they searched for two suspects wanted in connection with a jackpotting scheme targeting two standalone ATMs at separate gas stations last year. The suspects allegedly made off with thousands of dollars in profits after using malware to trick the machine’s security system, FOX 5 reported. 

The Fairfax County Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.