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.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov currently located and is he still operating from Russia?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific stolen identities and fictitious personas were created by the IRA and how many Americans were targeted?
💡
clue
Lead #3Which American computer server companies unknowingly provided infrastructure to the IRA?
Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov, a Russian national and General Director of the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency (IRA), is wanted by the FBI for conspiracy to defraud the United States through political and electoral interference operations from 2014 to February 2018. The IRA allegedly created hundreds of fictitious online personas, purchased American server space, and used stolen identities to interfere with the U.S. political system, including the 2016 Presidential Election. Despite an arrest warrant issued in February 2018, Bystrov remains at large, and investigators seek information about his whereabouts and activities.
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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.
📞
contact
Lead #4What communications or financial records exist linking Bystrov to other IRA operatives and Russian government entities?
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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
IRA Operations Begin
Internet Research Agency begins alleged conspiracy to defraud the United States through political interference operations
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2016-11-08
2016 Presidential Election
The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election occurs, during which the IRA allegedly conducted interference operations
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2018-02-16
Arrest Warrant Issued
Federal arrest warrant issued for Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov 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:July 12, 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:July 12, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case