The person at the center of this case
United States Government / Federal Election Commission / Department of Justice / Department of State
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
MIKHAIL IVANOVICH BYSTROV
Justice for United States Government / Federal Election Commission / Department of Justice / Department of State — the trail went cold in 2018, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov currently located and what is his status in Russia?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific stolen American identities were used by the Internet Research Agency and how many victims were affected?
💡
clue
Lead #3Which American computer server companies unknowingly provided infrastructure for the IRA's operations?
Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov, a Russian national and General Director of the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to defraud the United States through interference in American elections from 2014 to February 2018. The conspiracy involved creating hundreds of fictitious online personas, purchasing American server space, and using stolen identities to reach millions of Americans and interfere with the 2016 Presidential Election and U.S. political processes. Despite an arrest warrant issued in February 2018, Bystrov remains at large with ties to Russia, and investigators continue seeking information about his whereabouts and operational network.
Case
#550
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / United States District Court for the District of Columbia
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
👤
person
Lead #4Who else within the Internet Research Agency hierarchy was involved in directing these interference operations?
📞
contact
Lead #5What communication channels and financial transactions connected Bystrov to Russian government entities?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Conspiracy to Defraud the United States Caution: Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov is wanted by the FBI for his alleged involvement in a conspiracy to defraud the United States by impairing, obstructing, and defeating the lawful functions of the Federal Election Commission, the United States Department of Justice, and the United States Department of State. This occurred in Washington, D.C., from early 2014 to February 16, 2018.
Bystrov operated as General Director of the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA), an organization allegedly engaged in political and electoral interference operations in the United States which included the purchase of American computer server space, the creation of hundreds of fictitious online personas, and the use of stolen identities of persons from the United States.
These actions were allegedly taken to reach significant numbers of Americans for the purposes of interfering with the United States political system, including the 2016 Presidential Election. Bystrov also served as the head of various companies used by the IRA to mask its activities.
On February 16, 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia after he was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Remarks: Bystrov speaks Russian and has ties to Russia.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2014-01-01
Conspiracy Period Begins
Alleged conspiracy to defraud the United States begins, involving creation of fictitious online personas and interference operations
📋
2016-11-08
2016 Presidential Election
U.S. Presidential Election targeted by alleged interference operations involving stolen identities and fake accounts
👤
2018-02-16
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2014
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2014
Last Updated:September 10, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case