Former FBI Agent Charged with Stealing Nearly $1 Million in Crypto

A former FBI supervisory special agent has been charged with stealing nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency from wallets linked to a Russian investigative target.

Patrick Steven Yaroch, who worked in the FBI's Boston Division and later at headquarters, allegedly used bureau systems to access the wallets and transfer funds into his personal accounts. The investigation found that Yaroch had moved approximately $1.02 million on or around July 23 into an account on Suilend, a decentralized lending platform.

Yaroch told investigators that he had placed the funds in Suilend to earn interest and chose the service because of its water-droplet logo. He also admitted to using AI to aid his scheme, asking ChatGPT how to invest or spend $1 million and how to relocate to an EU country.

The FBI acted quickly after learning of the allegations, placing Yaroch on administrative leave on July 29, dismissing him on July 31, and arresting him at his home later that day. The bureau said it had 'acted immediately' and that 'this conduct is not tolerated at the FBI.'