FBI Agent Arrested for Stealing $900K in Crypto During National Security Probe

A former FBI agent has been arrested and charged with stealing over $900,000 in cryptocurrency from accounts monitored by the agency during a national security investigation. Patrick Steven Yaroch, a supervisory agent based in Washington, D.C., allegedly accessed the digital funds using his internal FBI access and transferred them to his personal account.

According to court records, Yaroch became frustrated with what he perceived as government inaction regarding the misuse of crypto accounts and began making unauthorized transactions. He reportedly used artificial intelligence tool ChatGPT to ask for advice on how to leave the US with a large sum of money and become a resident or citizen of an EU country.

The FBI took swift action once allegations surfaced, launching an internal investigation and arresting Yaroch last week. He has been charged with interstate transportation and receipt of stolen property, but not formally charged with theft of the cryptocurrency itself.