The person at the center of this case
United States Government / Federal Election Commission
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
MIKHAIL IVANOVICH BYSTROV
Justice for United States Government / Federal Election Commission — the trail went cold in 2018, but the truth hasn't.
Start here
Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov currently located and what is his current status?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific evidence links Bystrov to the creation of fictitious online personas and stolen identity usage?
💡
clue
Lead #3How many Americans were reached through the IRA's interference operations and what was the measurable impact?
Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov, a Russian national and General Director of the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA), is wanted by the FBI for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to defraud the United States by interfering with federal elections and government functions from 2014 to February 2018. The scheme 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. Bystrov remains at large with ties to Russia, and a $75,000 reward is offered for information leading to his capture.
Try asking
Claim this imported case
A one-time $10 claim transfers this imported case workspace to your account. You get 10 uploads for this case, 25 daily AI questions for this case, and public tips with files route to you.
10 uploads25 AI questions/day
This does not start a subscription. When the included limits are reached, the Personal plan unlocks more workspace capacity.
More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
📞
contact
Lead #4What individuals or organizations in the United States were in contact with Bystrov or the IRA during the conspiracy period?
📍
location
Lead #5What American computer servers were purchased and used by the IRA under Bystrov's direction?
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
Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov and the Internet Research Agency allegedly begin conspiracy to defraud the United States
📋
2016-11-08
2016 Presidential Election
Election interference operations allegedly targeted the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election
👤
2018-02-16
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
Warrant issued in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for conspiracy to defraud the United States
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2014
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
Leave a comment
Comments
Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2014
Last Updated:October 30, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case