A former US Federal Bureau of Investigation counterintelligence agent admitted to wire fraud and money laundering involving $2,474,380.66 in cryptocurrency, according to a Cointelegraph report published on November 7, 2026, at 22:16 UTC+8.
Patrick Steven Yaroch, 37, used his investigative positions and access to FBI systems to steal cryptocurrency from unidentified adversarial nations and wallets under investigation. He then exchanged and laundered the assets through financial transactions intended to conceal their source and ownership.
Citing a Thursday news release from the US Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia, the report said Yaroch made about 100 fraudulent transfers connected to 35 FBI investigations. He admitted that his conduct compromised investigations involving criminal groups and adversarial nations.
According to the statement, Yaroch used the proceeds to pay off debts and intended to finance a new life in Portugal, where he planned to buy a vineyard.
Cointelegraph had reported in August that Yaroch previously admitted to unauthorized transfers involving about $1 million in digital assets. The later account put the proceeds at nearly $2.5 million.
Yaroch faces up to 20 years in prison. At the time of publication, his sentencing was scheduled for March 4, 2027.