The person at the center of this case
United States Federal Government / Electoral System
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
MIKHAIL IVANOVICH BYSTROV
Justice for United States Federal Government / Electoral System — 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? What is his current status and has he fled to Russia?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific stolen American identities were used by the Internet Research Agency and how many fictitious online personas were created?
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clue
Lead #3Which U.S. computer server companies were used by the IRA and how were payments made to mask the organization's activities?
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 U.S. server space, and using stolen American identities to manipulate the political system and interfere with the 2016 Presidential Election. Bystrov remains at large with ties to Russia, and the FBI is seeking information leading to his location and arrest.
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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 was involved in operating the Internet Research Agency and the companies used to mask its operations?
📞
contact
Lead #5What communications or financial records exist linking Bystrov to Russian government entities or other co-conspirators?
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
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2014-01-01
Conspiracy Period Begins
Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov and the Internet Research Agency allegedly began conspiracy to defraud the United States
📋
2016-11-08
2016 U.S. Presidential Election
The alleged interference operations targeted the 2016 Presidential Election
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2018-02-16
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant was issued for Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov in the United States 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:April 29, 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:April 29, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case