FBI Agent Charged with Stealing $1 Million in Cryptocurrency

A former US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent has been charged with stealing approximately $1 million worth of cryptocurrency from foreign nationals under investigation by the agency. Patrick Stephen Yaroch allegedly accessed FBI systems to obtain keys needed to transfer funds from cryptocurrency accounts linked to a 'hostile state'.

The theft occurred between late 2024 and early 2025, with Yaroch making around 10 transfers totalling $1 million. He discovered these accounts in November 2024 while carrying out investigative work, but became disillusioned when he realized the FBI could not or would not take action against them.

Yaroch stated that he accessed the keys needed to transfer the money to himself 'because of the shame', which was 'eating him up inside'. He also claimed not to have contacted anyone connected to the accounts, and provided agents with his iPhone's Face ID and PIN so they could access his account on the Kraken crypto platform.

The FBI searched Yaroch's home and car, finding a conversation with ChatGPT in which he was trying to find out how to invest or spend $1 million to maximize profit. He also stated that he is 37 years old, has a young family, and aims to retire around the age of 40 in another country.