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Former FBI Special Agent Patrick Steven Yaroch is accused of stealing approximately $1 million in cryptocurrency from his employer. Yaroch worked for the agency from February 2025 to July 2026 and is charged with receiving stolen property and transporting it interstate.
The charges are based on a sworn statement by another FBI agent. Remarkably, the case was solved thanks to Yaroch himself: he confessed to a Department of Justice official, saying it was "eating me up inside." On July 29, Yaroch contacted FBI headquarters to arrange a meeting and explain what had happened. During the conversation, it was revealed that the total value of his crypto assets was approximately $1 million.
That same day, FBI agents arrived at his home to seize the property. Yaroch initially voluntarily handed over his crypto wallet seed phrases, but, according to the affidavit, he revoked his consent to use them approximately half an hour later.
Having gained access to his mobile phone, investigators were able to access Yarokh's Kraken account, where he held approximately $188,000—primarily in USDC and regular US dollars. A review also revealed that he had previously transferred approximately $1 million to the Suilend protocol. According to Yarokh, he chose this service simply because he liked the water drop logo.
While reviewing the contents of the suspect's phone, FBI agents discovered some very revealing queries in his ChatGPT chat history. These included questions like, "If I had a million dollars, how would you recommend investing or spending it to maximize profit?" and a request for advice on how to obtain residency or citizenship in an EU country with approximately $1 million in hand.
ChatGPT recommended Portugal as the best option. According to the FBI agents' testimony, Yarokh already had a trip from the US to Portugal booked.
During interrogation, Yarokh tried to convince agents that he had not planned to transfer money to Portugal. He also acknowledged that he would likely be unable to visit the country now, but expressed hope that his wife and child would still be able to make the trip.
The charges are based on a sworn statement by another FBI agent. Remarkably, the case was solved thanks to Yaroch himself: he confessed to a Department of Justice official, saying it was "eating me up inside." On July 29, Yaroch contacted FBI headquarters to arrange a meeting and explain what had happened. During the conversation, it was revealed that the total value of his crypto assets was approximately $1 million.
That same day, FBI agents arrived at his home to seize the property. Yaroch initially voluntarily handed over his crypto wallet seed phrases, but, according to the affidavit, he revoked his consent to use them approximately half an hour later.
Having gained access to his mobile phone, investigators were able to access Yarokh's Kraken account, where he held approximately $188,000—primarily in USDC and regular US dollars. A review also revealed that he had previously transferred approximately $1 million to the Suilend protocol. According to Yarokh, he chose this service simply because he liked the water drop logo.
While reviewing the contents of the suspect's phone, FBI agents discovered some very revealing queries in his ChatGPT chat history. These included questions like, "If I had a million dollars, how would you recommend investing or spending it to maximize profit?" and a request for advice on how to obtain residency or citizenship in an EU country with approximately $1 million in hand.
ChatGPT recommended Portugal as the best option. According to the FBI agents' testimony, Yarokh already had a trip from the US to Portugal booked.
During interrogation, Yarokh tried to convince agents that he had not planned to transfer money to Portugal. He also acknowledged that he would likely be unable to visit the country now, but expressed hope that his wife and child would still be able to make the trip.
