American federal agent embezzles US$900,000 in cryptocurrencies and consults ChatGPT about escape By Jeronimo Santos
3 min read
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A federal agent from the FBI, the main investigation agency in the United States, is accused of stealing more than US$900,000 (equivalent to around R$4.5 million) in cryptocurrencies from accounts that were under official surveillance. The information was revealed in court documents released on June 3, 2024.
The diversion, according to the case records, would have occurred after the employee expressed frustration with the apparent governmental inertia in relation to the inappropriate use of these same digital assets.
Patrick Steven Yaroch, the agent involved, had direct access to cryptocurrency assets while working on an FBI national security team dedicated to investigating a nation considered an adversary.
In a sworn statement attached to the lawsuit, he claimed to have felt “frustrated at not being able to do more to stop” the use of these accounts by an as-yet-unidentified person.
Taking advantage of his privileged access to the agency’s internal systems, Yaroch would then have transferred the cryptoassets directly to his own account.
The FBI relieved Yaroch of his duties, and he was detained the week before. The criminal complaint filed details accusations of interstate transportation and receipt of stolen property.
Court records do not indicate an attorney for Yaroch at this time. Our reporting team attempted to contact the accused via email, but received no response.
The federal agency has a vast database of intelligence information about cryptocurrency accounts, which are allegedly used by criminals and agents from states such as Russia, China and others.
However, decisions about how best to intervene in these accounts — whether to make seizures or to use them to obtain additional data — are often evaluated on an individual basis.
Agent questioned ChatGPT about escape and retirement plans
In the month leading up to his arrest, Yaroch reportedly consulted ChatGPT with a specific question: “If you had a considerable amount of money (approximately $1 million) and wanted to leave the United States to obtain residency or citizenship in a European Union country, what would your plan be?”
Artificial intelligence, according to the sworn statement, provided a personalized response, adapted to the age and lifestyle of the then agent.
The AI detailed a scenario, citing: “At 37 years old, with a young family, the goal of a possible retirement around 40 and an evident desire to, in the future, develop a more serene way of life, connected to vineyards or agriculture in regions such as Cilento or Dão, in Portugal…”
An FBI spokesperson said the agency acted immediately upon learning of the allegations.
“We began an investigation and, last week, we executed an arrest warrant for this individual,” said the representative.
“We demand that our employees follow the strictest ethical standards, and this type of behavior is not acceptable within the FBI. We are conducting a detailed investigation into what happened and, as it is an ongoing matter, we will not be making any further statements,” he added.
The sworn statement also contains information of an emotional nature, which, according to the FBI, was collected during the interrogations of Yaroch and a former Boston Division colleague, to whom he had confided certain things.
“I messed up,” Yaroch told FBI agents.
