The person at the center of this case
United States (conspiracy to defraud)
Justice for United States (conspiracy to defraud) — the trail went cold in 2023, but the truth hasn't.
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How did Burlinova establish and maintain contact with the FSB officer, and what was the full scope of information shared?
What specific U.S. citizens were recruited, and what sensitive information about them was provided to Russian intelligence?
Why did Burlinova remain in Moscow after the 2018 recruitment activities, and does she still maintain contact with FSB handlers?
Natalia Burlinova is wanted by the FBI for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB), recruiting U.S. citizens to participate in a program called Meeting Russia while providing the FSB with sensitive information about recruits. During a 2018 recruitment trip to American universities, she gathered photographs and personal data on U.S. citizens, identifying those with pro-Russia views for further collaboration. A federal arrest warrant was issued on April 17, 2023, and she remains at large, last known to be in Moscow, Russia.
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Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
Which U.S. university and research institution officials were aware of or encountered Burlinova's recruitment activities?
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Official wording
Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States; Agent of a Foreign Government Caution: Natalia Burlinova is wanted for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of a foreign government, Russia, within the United States. Burlinova allegedly conspired with an officer of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) to recruit United States citizens to travel to Moscow to participate in a program called Meeting Russia run by the organization that she led, Public Initiative Creative Diplomacy (PICREADI).
The FSB officer allegedly provided Burlinova with funding and other support for her recruitment efforts. In return, Burlinova provided the FSB officer with information about recruited United States citizens, including their resumes, passport information, photographs, and analyses of their views toward Russia.
Burlinova further identified for further collaboration particular United States citizens who had expressed positive attitudes towards Russia. During a recruitment trip to the United States in the Fall of 2018, Burlinova met with United States citizens at various United States universities and research institutions and provided the FSB officer with photographs of her meetings.
On April 17, 2023, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Burlinova in the United States District Court, District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., after she was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States and Agent of a Foreign Government. Remarks: Burlinova was last known to be in Moscow, Russia.
Burlinova conducted recruitment meetings at U.S. universities and research institutions, meeting with American citizens and providing FSB officer with photographs of meetings
Warrant issued in U.S. District Court, District of Columbia for Conspiracy to Commit Offense or to Defraud the United States and Agent of a Foreign Government