FBI agent accused of stealing approximately $1 million in crypto assets, and reportedly used ChatGPT to plan how to spend the funds and leave the country

Odaily News: An FBI agent, Patrick Yaroch, was arrested last Friday for allegedly stealing approximately $1 million in crypto assets from a "hostile crypto account." According to an affidavit filed on August 1, Yaroch is suspected of transferring the relevant assets starting in late 2024 or early 2025.

Yaroch told investigators that he discovered certain keys that allowed him to transfer funds from a digital wallet to himself. He said he was frustrated that he could not further prevent individuals associated with "hostile nations" from using cryptocurrency and carried out around a dozen transfers.

Court documents show that Yaroch admitted to a Justice Department employee that he had made "some very bad decisions" regarding crypto wallet-related issues. In another interview with federal agents, he also acknowledged that he "messed up."

Yaroch previously served as a supervisory special agent in the FBI's Counterintelligence and Espionage Division at FBI Headquarters, and earlier held a position at the FBI's Boston field office. The FBI terminated his employment on July 31.

The investigation also alleges that Yaroch mixed personal funds with crypto assets and used ChatGPT to ask how to handle the money, including how to spend or invest $1 million, and whether to leave the United States for a European country.