The person at the center of this case
United States government and American citizens whose identities were stolen
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2018
VLADIMIR VENKOV
Justice for United States government and American citizens whose identities were stolen — 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 does he remain in Russia or has he fled elsewhere?
🔍
evidence
Lead #2How many fake American personas did Venkov operate and what specific content did he post to influence U.S. elections?
👤
person
Lead #3What other IRA operatives worked 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 accounts to interfere with U.S. elections and political processes between 2015 and 2018. He is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, aggravated identity theft using real Americans' personal information to fund IRA social media operations, and aiding and abetting. Venkov remains at large with a $75,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
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 specific PayPal and bank accounts were opened using stolen American identities to fund IRA advertisements?
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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
Conspiracy period begins
Vladimir Venkov begins operating fake American personas on social media for the IRA's Translator Project
👤
2018-02-16
Federal arrest warrant issued
Venkov charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, aggravated identity theft (6 counts), and aiding and abetting in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
Key Locations
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Case Information
Incident:March 1, 2015
Last Updated:October 30, 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:October 30, 2026
Up to $75,000 Reward
For information leading to the resolution of this case