FBI Agent Admits to Stealing $2.47M in Crypto From 35 Investigations, Asked ChatGPT About Buying a Vineyard in Portugal

Former FBI agent Patrick Steven Yaroch, 37, of Ashburn, Virginia, has pleaded guilty to wire fraud and money laundering after stealing approximately $2.47 million in cryptocurrency using credentials associated with 35 FBI investigations. Prosecutors said he made approximately 100 fraudulent transfers involving wallets controlled by subjects of other investigations or adversarial nation-state actors. He later asked ChatGPT about maximising profits from investments and relocating to Europe, with the chatbot suggesting he buy a vineyard in Portugal. How an FBI Insider Stole Millions in CryptoAccording to the US Department of Justice, Yaroch worked at the FBI's Boston Division from 2017 until early 2025, serving on an investigative squad focused on an adversarial nation-state.