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 has he fled to Russia or another country?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific evidence links Bystrov directly to the creation of fictitious personas and the purchase of American server space?
📞
contact
Lead #3Who are the other members of the IRA conspiracy, and what roles did they play in the interference operations?
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 conspiracy involved creating hundreds of fictitious online personas, purchasing American server space, and using stolen identities to manipulate 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 current whereabouts and any connections to ongoing interference operations.
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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.
💡
clue
Lead #4What stolen identities were used, and how were they obtained and deployed across social media and online platforms?
⏰
timeline
Lead #5What specific interference activities occurred between early 2014 and February 2018, and how did they escalate over time?
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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
Conspiracy begins
IRA begins alleged conspiracy to defraud the United States, impairing functions of the Federal Election Commission, Department of Justice, and Department of State
🕵️
2016
2016 Presidential Election interference
IRA operations allegedly target the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election through fictitious online personas and stolen identities
🕵️
2018-02-16
Federal arrest warrant issued
Mikhail Ivanovich Bystrov charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:January 1, 2014
Last Updated:May 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:May 12, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case