FBI agent stole $2.5 million in crypto from hackers under investigation - BleepingComputer
Former FBI agent Patrick Steven Yaroch pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $2.5 million from cryptocurrency wallets of fraud victims and hackers under investigation.
Yaroch worked on a national security investigative squad at the FBI Boston Division from 2017 to 2025, and as a supervisory special agent in the FBI Headquarters Counterintelligence and Espionage Division between February 2025 and July 2026. He was arrested on July 31 at his residence after self-reporting the crypto theft to DOJ and FBI employees on July 29.
Crypto Theft Scheme
According to court documents, Yaroch used passphrases obtained from FBI case management systems to transfer funds from cryptocurrency wallets of fraud victims or suspects under investigation to his own wallets. He then attempted to launder the funds by exchanging them for other cryptocurrencies.
Throughout his wire fraud scheme, Yaroch conducted approximately 100 fraudulent transfers using credentials related to 35 separate FBI investigations. He illicitly gained approximately $2,474,380.66 in fraudulent proceeds.
International Escape Plan
Between November 2025 and January 2026, Yaroch transferred approximately $93,082 to one of his accounts to cover debts including credit cards, car payments, and other loans. He was also planning to move to Portugal in early September with his family, as shown by flight tickets to Lisbon and power-of-attorney documents to two Portuguese lawyers.
Yaroch asked ChatGPT for advice on moving to the EU with around $1 million, stating his goal of potentially retiring around 40 and building a vineyard/agricultural lifestyle. The prosecutors added that his actions compromised multiple FBI investigations involving nation-state adversaries and criminal groups, as well as FBI sources and methods.
Legal Consequences
Yaroch is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4, facing up to 20 years in prison for the wire fraud charge and another maximum of 20 years for money laundering. The FBI fired Yaroch on July 31, 2026, after first placing him on administrative leave on July 29.
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