The person at the center of this case
United States Federal Government / American Citizens (identity theft victims)
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
VLADIMIR VENKOV
Justice for United States Federal Government / American Citizens (identity theft victims) — the trail went cold in 2018, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
🎯
suspect
Lead #1Where is Vladimir Venkov currently located and is he still operating under assumed identities?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2How many American identities were compromised and used by Venkov, and what is the full scope of financial accounts opened in their names?
📞
contact
Lead #3What other IRA operatives worked directly with Venkov and have they been identified or apprehended?
Vladimir Venkov, a Russian national working for the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency, is wanted by the FBI for allegedly operating fake American social media personas from 2015 to 2018 to interfere with U.S. political processes and the 2016 Presidential Election. He allegedly used stolen identities of real Americans to create financial accounts that funded IRA social media operations and advertisements. The case remains active as Venkov has not been apprehended and is believed to have ties to Russia, making him a significant counterintelligence concern.
Case
#921
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.
💡
clue
Lead #4Which social media platforms and accounts did Venkov primarily operate, and can they be linked to specific election interference campaigns?
⏰
timeline
Lead #5What specific IRA-funded advertisements were promoted through accounts opened using stolen American identities?
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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; Aggravated Identity Theft (6 counts); Aiding and Abetting Caution: Vladimir Venkov 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 March of 2015 to February 16, 2018.
Venkov worked within the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency’s (IRA) Translator Project, the company’s US-focused contingent that allegedly conducted operations on social media platforms.
Venkov allegedly operated multiple United States personas on social media which he allegedly used to post and monitor content on behalf of the IRA. Venkov is also charged with aggravated identity theft after allegedly using personal information of actual Americans without their knowledge to open PayPal and bank accounts to pay for IRA-funded advertisements promoting IRA social media accounts and content.
These actions were performed 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 Vladimir Venkov in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia after he was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting.
Remarks: Venkov speaks Russian and English. He has ties to Russia.
Timeline of Events
🕵️
2015-03-01
IRA Operations Begin
Vladimir Venkov begins work within the St. Petersburg-based Internet Research Agency's Translator Project, operating fake U.S. personas on social media platforms.
👤
2018-02-16
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant is issued for Vladimir Venkov in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia for conspiracy to defraud the United States, aggravated identity theft, and aiding and abetting.
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:March 1, 2015
Last Updated:September 11, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case
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Case Information
Incident:March 1, 2015
Last Updated:September 11, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case