FBI offers $100,000 reward for information on “Cryptoqueen” Ruja Ignatova, adds her to Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list

The FBI introduced Thursday that it has added Ruja Ignatova — often known as “Cryptoqueen” — to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list. Ignatova is accused of making a pretend Bulgarian-based cryptocurrency firm and defrauding traders out of practically $4 billion. 

According to the FBI, Ignatova is the simply the eleventh girl to be added to the list within the group’s 72-year-history. Authorities have now provided a $100,000 reward for information main to her seize. 

“There are so many victims all over the world who were financially devastated by this,” Investigating Special Agent Ronald Shimko said in assertion Thursday. “We want to bring her to justice.”

According to the FBI, Ignatova and her accomplice created a cryptocurrency firm known as OneCoin in 2014, which they claimed could be a “bitcoin killer.” Investigators mentioned Ignatova promoted the corporate by means of a “multi-level marketing strategy” that inspired preliminary traders to promote packages of OneCoin to family and friends. 

Shimko mentioned that Ignatova used the thrill over cryptocurrency to lure in customers who did not absolutely perceive how cryptocurrency labored. 

“OneCoin claimed to have a private blockchain,” Shimko added. “This is in contrast to other virtual currencies, which have a decentralized and public blockchain. In this case, investors were just asked to trust OneCoin.” 

Investigators imagine that Ignatova might have been tipped off that she was beneath investigation by U.S authorities. She was charged on October 12, 2017, and traveled from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, on October 25 — however she hasn’t been seen since. 

Months later, a superseding indictment charged her with one rely every of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit cash laundering, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and securities fraud. 

Ignatova is 42 years outdated and was described as having “brown eyes and dark brown to black hair,” the FBI mentioned, noting it is potential she might have modified her look. The FBI additionally mentioned she could also be touring with armed guards. 

Ignatova speaks English, German, and Bulgarian. She could also be touring on a fraudulent passport and has recognized connections to Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. Shimko famous that earlier than she disappeared, Ignatova lived a lavish way of life.