Article Text

Fairfax County police are investigating the theft of $175,000 from an Apple Federal Credit Union ATM near Fair Oaks in what detectives believe may have been an “ATM jackpotting” operation.

The activity began at 10:18 p.m. on Oct. 3, 2025, when an unidentified person approached the drive-up ATM in the 4200 block of Members Way and opened it with a key. Police said it remains unclear what the person did after gaining access.

At 12:28 a.m. on Oct. 4, the same person returned in a late-model blue Jeep and opened the machine again. At about 1:15 a.m., two suspects—including the person seen earlier—arrived in the Jeep and accessed the ATM for approximately 15 minutes. They appeared to record the machine with their phones.

The theft accelerated around 2 a.m., when an unmasked suspect arrived in the same Jeep and began collecting cash without inserting a card or touching the ATM. He held a phone toward the machine as it dispensed money.

The suspect briefly departed before returning at 2:09 a.m. Cash withdrawals continued until 2:44 a.m.

ATM jackpotting involves compromising a cash machine so it dispenses large sums on command. Attackers may install malware or connect a “black box” device that overrides the ATM’s security. That can involve direct physical access through a device such as a USB drive or interference with communications between the ATM and its network.

The name refers to the rapid flow of cash from a compromised machine, resembling a slot-machine jackpot.

Anyone with information about the theft, or who believes they may have been victimized, can contact the Fairfax County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit at 703-246-3533. Anonymous tips may be submitted to Crime Solvers at 1-866-411-TIPS (866-411-8477).