The person at the center of this case
United States Federal Government / Electoral System
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
VADIM VLADIMIROVICH PODKOPAEV
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 #1What was Podkopaev's specific role in drafting and distributing social media content designed to influence American voters?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2Which social media accounts and campaigns can be directly attributed to Podkopaev's research and content creation?
📞
contact
Lead #3What connections exist between Podkopaev and other IRA operatives or Russian government officials?
Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev, a Russian analyst for the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly orchestrating a conspiracy to defraud the United States by interfering with federal agencies and the 2016 Presidential Election through coordinated social media operations. From June 2014 to February 2018, Podkopaev conducted US-focused research and created content across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter designed to manipulate American voters and undermine U.S. political institutions. A federal arrest warrant was issued on February 16, 2018, and Podkopaev remains at large with ties to Russia and Ukraine.
Case
#1031
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) / United States District Court for the District of Columbia
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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.
📍
location
Lead #4Where is Podkopaev currently located, and what countries might be harboring him?
💡
clue
Lead #5What specific techniques did Podkopaev use to target American audiences across different demographic groups?
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: Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev 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 June of 2014 to February 16, 2018.
Podkopaev served as an analyst while working for the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency’s (IRA) US-focused contingent which allegedly conducted social media operations on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Podkopaev performed US-focused research and drafted social media content in support of the IRA’s alleged efforts to reach significant numbers of Americans for the purposes of interfering with the United States political system, including the 2016 Presidential Election. On February 16, 2018, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia after he was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States.
Remarks: Podkopaev speaks Russian, English, and French. He has ties to Russia and Ukraine.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2014-06-01
Conspiracy Period Begins
Vadim Podkopaev begins work as an analyst for the Internet Research Agency's US-focused contingent, initiating alleged social media operations to interfere with U.S. political systems.
📋
2016-11-08
2016 Presidential Election
The alleged conspiracy targeted the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election through coordinated social media content across multiple platforms.
👤
2018-02-16
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant is issued for Vadim Vladimirovich Podkopaev in the United States 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:June 1, 2014
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:June 1, 2014
Last Updated:June 14, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case