Patrick Steven Yaroch, a former FBI supervisory special agent, has been charged with the receipt and interstate transportation of stolen goods. Yaroch, who held a Top Secret security clearance, allegedly stole nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency from wallets linked to FBI counterintelligence investigations.
The alleged thefts occurred between early 2025 and July 2026 while Yaroch was working within the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division. Yaroch admitted to investigators that he accessed FBI systems to obtain cryptocurrency wallet seed phrases connected to investigations involving an unnamed foreign adversary.
The approximate amount of cryptocurrency allegedly stolen by Yaroch.
Investigators stated that Yaroch transferred funds into accounts under his control approximately 10 times, resulting in holdings of about $1 million. During searches of Yaroch's home and devices, investigators recovered a Trezor hardware wallet and handwritten cryptocurrency seed phrases.
ChatGPT inquiries and relocation plans
Digital evidence indicates Yaroch used ChatGPT for several inquiries regarding his finances and potential relocation. On May 28, Yaroch asked the AI how to invest or spend $1 million 'to maximize profit and return.' He also asked how an individual with approximately $1 million could leave the U.S. to become a resident or citizen of a European Union country.
Conversations on Yaroch's phone also included questions about whether Americans require a visa when connecting through Turkey and help drafting an email regarding a job opportunity and life in Greece. Additionally, investigators found evidence of a planned family trip to Portugal and power-of-attorney documents related to the country.
His family had a trip planned to Portugal in September 2026 to meet friends.
On July 28, 2026, prosecutors stated that Yaroch contacted DOJ Employee 1 via Signal to request a meeting regarding personal matters. Prosecutors argued that his admissions and the recovered cryptocurrency established probable cause for his arrest on July 31.
