FBI Agent Stole $2.47 Million in Cryptocurrency and Asked AI Where to Start a New Life

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officer Patrick Stephen Yarock pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering. He used official access to classified materials of the department to transfer cryptocurrency from other people’s wallets to his accounts, the US Department of Justice reports, citing court documents.

According to the investigation, the 37-year-old Yarok worked in the Boston division of the FBI since 2017, and in February 2025 he moved to the counterintelligence and espionage department. The new post gave him access to investigations to which he was not directly involved.

According to court documents, in December 2024, Yarok began transferring funds from these wallets to his accounts. Among them were the wallets of those involved in investigations related to foreign countries, as well as one wallet created by the FBI itself to conduct the operation. In total, he used data related to 35 investigations.

The investigation found that the former agent conducted about 100 fraudulent transactions, as a result of which he managed to get about $ 2.47 million.

In addition, it was found that Yarok exchanged the stolen cryptocurrency for other digital assets and transferred it between accounts. Part of the money went to pay off credit card debts, pay for a car and other loans. From November 2025 to January 2026, one of his accounts received about $93 thousand.

From the materials of the case, it also became known about Yarok's plans to start a new life abroad. He asked ChatGPT how to invest money and which EU country to choose to move to. Among the options, the chatbot offered Portugal the purchase of a vineyard.

After the recommendation, Yarok contacted Portuguese lawyers, issued a power of attorney and began the procedure for obtaining a tax number. In September 2026, he planned to go to the country.

According to investigators, the actions of the former agent jeopardized several investigations by the FBI, as well as revealed the sources and methods of intelligence gathering. The announcement of the verdict to Yaroku is scheduled for March 4, 2027. He faces up to 20 years in prison.