FBI Announces $5 Million Bounty in Hunt for ‘CryptoQueen’ Ruja Ignatova
The FBI has intensified its search for Ruja Ignatova, known as the “CryptoQueen,” with the announcement of a new reward aimed at securing her capture. The United States Department of State’s Transnational Organized Crime Rewards Program is now offering up to $5 million for information leading to her arrest and/or conviction.
Ignatova, a German national, co-founded OneCoin Ltd. in Bulgaria in 2014. The company was marketed as a revolutionary digital currency poised to rival Bitcoin.
However, investigations revealed that OneCoin was a Ponzi scheme from the start, lacking a genuine blockchain model. By making false statements and representations, Ignatova and her associates defrauded investors worldwide out of billions of dollars. By 2017, OneCoin is believed to have swindled over $4 billion from its victims.
Ignatova’s charismatic persona and sophisticated marketing strategies played crucial roles in the scam’s success, leaving many investors devastated and seeking justice.
On October 12, 2017, Ignatova was indicted in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Two weeks later, she traveled from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, to evade arrest and has been a fugitive since then. In February 2018, a superseding indictment added charges of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and securities fraud.
The FBI added Ignatova to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives List on June 30, 2022, reflecting the high priority of her capture. Germany has also issued criminal charges against her for her role in the transnational fraud scheme.
The recent announcement of the $5 million reward underscores the ongoing commitment to locating her. The FBI’s official statement emphasized the significance of public assistance in tracking down Ignatova, who is believed to have extensive resources and networks aiding her evasion.
In a press release, the FBI stated, “Ruja Ignatova’s fraudulent activities have caused billions of dollars in losses to unsuspecting victims. We urge anyone with information on her whereabouts to come forward. This reward is a testament to our dedication to bringing her to justice.”
Interpol has also been involved in the hunt, issuing a red notice which serves as an international wanted persons alert. Despite these efforts, Ignatova has managed to elude capture for nearly seven years. Reports suggest she may have altered her appearance and used multiple aliases, making the task of tracking her even more challenging.
Victims of OneCoin have welcomed the increased reward, expressing hope that it will lead to new leads and eventually, justice. Jen McAdam, a notable OneCoin victim and advocate for others affected, stated, “This reward brings a renewed sense of hope for all of us who have suffered from this fraud. We urge anyone with information to come forward and help put an end to this chapter.”
Legal actions against OneCoin affiliates continue worldwide, with several key figures already convicted. Karl Sebastian Greenwood, Ignatova’s co-founder, was arrested in 2018 and has since been cooperating with authorities. His testimony has been pivotal in understanding the inner workings of the OneCoin scheme.
According to records released last year, Ignatova could have already been dead as far back as 2018. A Bulgarian police document showed reports that Ignatova was killed in November 2018 on the order of Christoforos Amanatidis, a known drug lord by the nickname Taki.
The Bureau for Investigative Reporting and Data (BIRD) obtained documents including supposed evidence of Ignatova’s murder. BIRD has shared documents obtained following the shooting of former Bulgarian police officer Lyubomir Ivanonov. The docs are said to provide information regarding a Taki affiliate’s intoxicated utterances.
Taki allegedly ordered Ignatova’s murder, which allegedly occurred in November 2018 on a yacht in the Ionian Sea. According to the reports, Ignatova’s body was then dismembered and dumped in the sea.
Information for this briefing was found via the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
