A former FBI counterintelligence agent admitted to wire fraud and money laundering after stealing nearly $2.5 million in cryptocurrency from unidentified adversarial nations and wallets under investigation, according to a Cointelegraph report published on November 7, 2026, at 22:16 UTC+8.
Patrick Steven Yaroch, 37, used his investigative roles and access to FBI systems to steal cryptocurrency, 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. The proceeds totaled $2,474,380.66.
Earlier admission and impact on investigations
Cointelegraph had reported in August that Yaroch previously admitted to unauthorized transfers involving about $1 million in digital assets.
According to the prosecutors’ statement, Yaroch paid off debts and intended to use the proceeds to finance a new life in Portugal, where he planned to buy a vineyard. He also admitted that his actions compromised FBI investigations involving criminal groups and adversarial nations.
Yaroch faces up to 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for March 4, 2027.
Original source: Cointelegraph, published November 7, 2026, at 22:16 UTC+8.