COLUMBIA, S.C. — A sophisticated international cyber-theft scheme that targeted local banks in Rock Hill has come to an end with the federal conviction and pending deportation of two Venezuelan nationals.
Luz Granados, 34, and Johan Gonzalez-Jimenez, 40, were convicted of conspiracy and computer crimes after targeting older ATM models across the Southeast. The investigation, which relied heavily on the Rock Hill Police Department, revealed a high-tech “jackpotting” method that allowed the duo to drain machines of their entire cash reserves.
The Rock Hill Connection
While the pair targeted banks across Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia, their operations hit close to home with targeted attacks in Rock Hill and Columbia.
Local investigators with the Rock Hill Police Department worked alongside the U.S. Secret Service and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to track the suspects. Their collaboration was vital in uncovering how the duo operated: approaching ATMs at night, removing the outer casings, and connecting laptops to install malware that overrode security protocols…