The person at the center of this case
United States Government / Electoral System
Cold Case · Open - Wanted by FBI
8 years waiting · since 2018
VLADIMIR VENKOV
Justice for United States 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 #1How many fake American personas did Venkov operate, and which social media platforms were targeted?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2What specific stolen identities were used to create PayPal and bank accounts, and how much funding was generated?
📞
contact
Lead #3Did Venkov have direct communication with other IRA operatives or American co-conspirators?
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 and using stolen identities to fund IRA-backed political interference operations targeting the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election. Between March 2015 and February 2018, Venkov allegedly conspired to defraud the United States by impeding the Federal Election Commission, Department of Justice, and Department of State through coordinated social media campaigns. His whereabouts remain unknown, and locating him is critical to understanding the full scope of foreign interference in American elections.
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 #4What is Venkov's current location, and does he remain in Russia or has he fled elsewhere?
👁️
witness
Lead #5Are there American social media users who unknowingly interacted with Venkov's fake personas?
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; 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, allegedly operating fake U.S. social media personas
⏰
2016-11-08
2016 Presidential Election
U.S. Presidential Election occurs; Venkov's alleged social media operations were designed to interfere with this election
👤
2018-02-16
Federal Arrest Warrant Issued
A federal arrest warrant is issued for Vladimir Venkov in the U.S. 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 3, 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 3, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case