Austin police on Monday posted photos of local officers who helped federal investigators in an ATM "jackpotting" probe tied to what prosecutors describe as a nationwide conspiracy that stole millions of dollars. The department singled out Ofc. Hines and detectives Bassano, Portnoy, Costello and Chiappardi, thanking the team for supporting a Homeland Security Task Force effort. The images are short and matter-of-fact, offering a rare look at local detectives who have been working alongside federal partners.
According to the Austin Police Department's Facebook post, the department thanked Ofc. Hines and detectives Bassano, Portnoy, Costello and Chiappardi, noting that Chiappardi was not pictured, and said the team had "supported the Homeland Security Task Force" in tackling transnational crime. The post also said a suspect in the investigation is linked to a national conspiracy that prosecutors say stole millions, but it did not include arrest details or charging documents.
Part of a Multistate Jackpotting Probe
The local recognition lands in the middle of a much larger federal investigation into ATM "jackpotting" that has produced dozens of indictments in multiple federal districts. According to the Department of Justice, a federal grand jury in the District of Nebraska returned an indictment in late January that added 31 defendants to earlier charges, bringing the total number of people charged in the case to 87.
FBI Says Attacks Are Rising
The scale of the crime has been growing. According to an FBI flash alert, roughly 1,900 jackpotting incidents have been reported since 2020, including more than 700 in 2025 alone that led to over $20 million in losses. The bureau urged banks and law enforcement to harden ATM defenses and to report suspicious activity to local FBI field offices and the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
How Jackpotting Works
Federal filings describe a fairly technical hustle. Attackers allegedly used variants of the Ploutus malware to command cash-dispensing modules to spit out bills after installing malicious software or swapping hard drives. As outlined by the Department of Justice, suspects would survey targeted machines, install malware and then split the proceeds or funnel money through networks tied to organized groups.
What This Means for Austin
Austin's post does not list local arrests, but it underscores that APD detectives are working with federal partners on transnational financial crime. The Texas Bankers Association has advised banks to coordinate with vendors and law enforcement to close vulnerabilities, and customers are urged to use indoor ATMs when possible and report any odd tampering to their bank, according to the Texas Bankers Association.
Legal Implications
Prosecutors in related jackpotting cases have pursued charges that include bank fraud, bank burglary, computer damage and conspiracy, and officials say convictions can carry decades in prison. Reporting on the indictments says the alleged network funneled proceeds to leaders of the Tren de Aragua organization, which federal authorities describe as a transnational criminal network, according to Homeland Security Today.
