Summary
- Federal prosecutors charged FBI agent Patrick Yaroch with allegedly stealing nearly $1 million from government cryptocurrency wallets under official control.
- Investigators allege Yaroch used ChatGPT for investment guidance and explored relocating to Portugal after discussing personal goals with the chatbot.
- Court filings also cite Portugal travel bookings while prosecutors pursue stolen goods charges tied to the alleged cryptocurrency theft case.
FBI supervisory special agent Patrick Yaroch has been charged with stealing nearly $1 million in cryptocurrency from wallets linked to adversarial entities. Federal investigators also allege he later used ChatGPT to seek guidance on investing the money and relocating to Portugal.
Court documents allege Yaroch accessed private keys that allowed him to transfer cryptocurrency from digital wallets under government control. Investigators claim he carried out about a dozen transfers beginning in late 2024 or early 2025. Authorities estimate the stolen cryptocurrency was worth approximately $1 million.
According to an affidavit filed on Aug. 1, Yaroch admitted to discovering the wallet keys and moving the funds into accounts under his control. Investigators also allege he acted out of frustration because he believed he could not do more to stop individuals from an adversarial nation from using cryptocurrency.
Federal investigators interviewed Yaroch during the inquiry, and according to the affidavit, he admitted making poor decisions involving cryptocurrency wallets. He also allegedly acknowledged his actions during another interview by telling agents that he had “f**ked up.”
Yaroch previously served in the FBI’s Boston division before joining the agency’s counterintelligence and espionage division at headquarters, where he remained until the FBI dismissed him on July 31 as the criminal investigation progressed.
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Court Filings Detail ChatGPT Conversations
Investigators allege Yaroch mixed the stolen cryptocurrency with his personal funds, making it more difficult to distinguish the assets. Moreover, court filings claim he relied on ChatGPT for guidance on handling the money and planning a possible move overseas.
According to the affidavit, Yaroch asked ChatGPT how he should spend or invest approximately $1 million. He also sought advice about leaving the United States and establishing a new life in Europe.
Court records state ChatGPT recommended Portugal after considering details Yaroch allegedly shared during the conversation. Those details included his family, his interest in purchasing a rural estate, his appreciation for age-worthy red wine, and his desire to live permanently in the country.
Portugal Trip Became Part of Investigation
Additionally, investigators found travel records showing Yaroch had purchased airline tickets for Portugal with a scheduled departure on Sept. 3. The itinerary also included a return flight, which prosecutors cited as part of the investigation.
Federal prosecutors have charged Yaroch with interstate transportation of stolen goods and receipt of stolen goods, securities, and money. Those charges stem from allegations that he unlawfully transferred cryptocurrency from government-controlled wallets into his own accounts.
The charges remain allegations, and Yaroch is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The federal case will now proceed through the judicial process as prosecutors seek to establish the full scope of the alleged cryptocurrency theft.
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