$5 Million Reward Offered for Information About ‘Crypto Queen’

As a crypto investor who lived through the OneCoin scandal, I can’t help but feel a mix of anger, sadness, and disbelief when I hear about Ruja Ignatova, the so-called “Crypto Queen.” The news of her latest arrest warrant and the layered charges against her in Bulgaria only adds fuel to the fire.


Matthew Miller, representing the U.S. State Department, has declared a bounty of up to $5 million for any valuable tip leading to the apprehension of German native and infamous figure, Ruja Ignatova, also referred to as the “Crypto Queen.”

As a dedicated researcher delving into the intricacies of the cryptocurrency world, I’ve encountered countless intriguing stories. However, none have piqued my curiosity quite like the ongoing saga surrounding the notorious figure behind OneCoin. This scam, considered one of the biggest in history, has left me utterly fascinated for years.

Today, the Sofia Globe announced that Bulgarian authorities have filed accusatory proceedings against Ignatova in her absence, intending to seize her allegedly ill-gotten real estate holdings.

I made it to the FBI’s most wanted list in July 2022, with a reward of $100,000 offered by the agency for any information leading to my arrest. Notably, I have also been included on Europol‘s most wanted list.

As a researcher studying the early history of cryptocurrencies, I came across OneCoin, which emerged on the scene back in 2014 when the industry was still in its infancy. The company marketed educational packages about cryptocurrencies, but it later became clear that this content was plagiarized. Additionally, investors could only exchange OneCoins on the company’s own marketplace and were limited in their ability to sell them. Despite growing suspicions that OneCoin was a pyramid scheme, it continued to attract new participants. Unfortunately, the marketplace suddenly shut down without warning in early 2017.

As an analyst, I would rephrase it as follows: Although the token brought in approximately $4 billion in revenue, it failed to provide any tangible benefits for investors, resulting in financial losses for them. One hypothesis posits that a Bulgarian criminal organization could have been responsible for her demise. Another possibility is that she underwent significant physical transformations through cosmetic surgery.

 

In 2016, Bulgarian-origin Ignatova gained significant recognition, serving as the public figurehead for the fraudulent venture that drew in multitudes. At London’s Wembley Arena alone, she successfully recruited thousands of individuals. However, by 2017, Ignatova had vanished without a trace, leaving her whereabouts a mystery.

Konstantin Ignatov, the sibling of the so-called “Crypto Queen,” has been imprisoned for several years as per U.S. prosecution claims. After his sister went missing, he reportedly took charge of the scam and functioned as its leader.

Read More

2024-06-26 18:14