FBI Agent Confesses to Stealing $1 Million in Cryptocurrency from Russian Target
Patrick Yaroch, an FBI counterintelligence agent, has admitted to stealing around $1 million worth of cryptocurrency from a Russian criminal target. According to a criminal complaint, Yaroch became frustrated with the FBI's inability to act against certain cryptocurrency accounts, prompting him to take matters into his own hands. He reportedly accessed FBI systems to find the necessary keys to transfer funds from digital wallets to himself.
Yaroch worked in the FBI’s Boston Division from approximately 2017 to 2025 and has been in possession of the stolen cryptocurrency since last year. After confessing his actions to a Justice Department employee, he was charged with interstate transportation of stolen goods and receipt of stolen goods. Prosecutors have indicated that he may face additional charges.
The FBI affidavit reveals that Yaroch executed multiple transfers totaling just under $1 million from the Russian target. However, agents managed to recover only $925,426 after searching his residence in Ashburn, Virginia. During the search, authorities discovered a hardware wallet, handwritten seed phrases, and documents suggesting he was contemplating moving overseas, including paperwork related to Portugal.
The complaint also highlights Yaroch's unreported foreign travel to Germany and Portugal, which he failed to disclose to the FBI, violating security protocols. Despite his claims of no intention to transfer the stolen funds to Portugal, his actions raised significant concerns.
Yaroch reportedly confided in coworkers about the theft, expressing that it was weighing heavily on him. Ultimately, he voluntarily completed an online self-report form and met with FBI personnel to disclose his misconduct.
