US Government Offers $5 Million Reward for Capture of Crypto Fraudster Ruja Ignatova
Key Takeaways
Topic | Details |
---|---|
Reward Announcement | U.S. State Department offers $5 million for information leading to Ruja Ignatova's arrest or conviction. |
Criminal Charges | Ignatova faces charges including wire fraud, money laundering, and securities fraud. |
International Search | Ignatova disappeared in 2017 after traveling from Bulgaria to Greece. |
FBI Involvement | Ignatova is on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, with an additional $100,000 reward offered by the FBI. |
Impact of OneCoin Fraud | OneCoin scheme defrauded investors of over $4 billion globally. |
The U.S. State Department has announced a reward of $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of alleged cryptocurrency scammer, Ruja Ignatova. The 42-year-old is described as a chief participant in "one of the largest global fraud schemes in history."
The 'Cryptoqueen' on the Run
Known as the 'cryptoqueen', Ignatova finds herself on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list, charged with a global cryptocurrency fraud scheme. Operating from Bulgaria, Ignatova co-founded OneCoin Ltd in 2014. According to federal investigators, Ignatova and her team defrauded investors with exaggerated claims about OneCoin's value as a cryptocurrency, racking up a fraudulent income of $4 billion by 2017.
Charges and Escaping Arrest
Charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit money laundering, Ignatova faced indictment by the U.S. Court for the Southern District of NY on Oct. 12, 2017. After the indictment, authorities believe she moved from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, to evade arrest. She has been a fugitive ever since. Further charges were added in a superseding indictment in February 2018, accusing Ignatova of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and securities fraud.
International Legal Action
Beyond the American charges, German prosecutors have also accused Ignatova of criminal activities in relation to the alleged fraud scheme. The FBI, which placed her on their most wanted list in 2022, is offering an additional reward of $100,000 for information resulting in her arrest.
Conclusion
The global search for alleged cryptocurrency fraudster Ruja Ignatova continues, with the US Government now offering a substantial reward for information that brings her to justice. The 'Cryptoqueen' faces serious charges in the US and abroad relating to one of history's most significant fraud schemes involving cryptocurrency.
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Sources: CoinDesk, Greek Reporter, ProtoThema, Cointelegraph
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