FBI agent indicted for $1M crypto theft, used ChatGPT

Ex-FBI agent Patrick Yaroch was arrested for allegedly stealing $1M in crypto, confessed to the theft, and sought ChatGPT's advice on handling the funds. He faces federal charges.

Patrick Yaroch, a former FBI agent, has been arrested and indicted for allegedly stealing around $1 million in cryptocurrency from digital wallets linked to foreign adversaries and the FBI. The thefts reportedly began in late 2024 or early 2025, with Yaroch exploiting his access to sensitive information to obtain wallet keys and transfer funds to his own accounts in about a dozen transactions. Yaroch confessed his actions to colleagues and investigators, expressing regret and frustration over his inability to prevent adversarial nations from using cryptocurrency. He was terminated by the FBI on July 31, 2026, and law enforcement seized over $925,000 from his accounts. Investigations revealed Yaroch mixed personal and stolen funds, and sought advice from ChatGPT on how to handle, invest, or spend the money, even inquiring about moving to Europe. He now faces federal charges, including receipt and interstate transportation of stolen goods.