The FBI has added Dr. Ruja Ignatova, the self-proclaimed ‘Cryptoqueen,’ to its list of Ten Most Wanted fugitives, and is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to her arrest.
Ignatova, the founder of a cryptocurrency called OneCoin that was launched in 2014, allegedly defrauded investors of more than $4 billion over three years, before disappearing. Europol added her to Europe’s most wanted list last month.
Ms. Ignatova, who is the only woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted list, has not been seen since 2017. In 2019, she was charged with eight counts, including wire fraud and securities fraud.
Prosecutors say the company offered members commissions to entice others to buy a worthless cryptocurrency, essentially operating OneCoin as a pyramid scheme.
Damian Williams, the top federal prosecutor in Manhattan, said he “completely timed his plan, capitalizing on the frenzied speculation of the early days of cryptocurrency.”
Mr. Williams described OneCoin as “one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in history”.
Ms. Ignatova disappeared after ransacking an apartment of her American boyfriend and learning that he was cooperating with the FBI investigation of OneCoin, Mr. Williams said. They said she boarded a flight from Bulgaria to Greece and has not been seen since.
Michael Driscoll, the assistant director in charge of the FBI in New York, declined to comment on any clues about Ignatova. The bureau adds fugitives to its most wanted list when it believes the public may be able to help track down suspects.
“She left with a huge amount of cash,” Driscoll told reporters. “Money can buy a lot of friends, and I think she’s taking advantage of that.”
Ms. Ignatova was charged with a former corporate lawyer, Mark Scott, who prosecutors said laundered nearly $400 million for OneCoin. Mr. Scott was found guilty of conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit bank fraud after a three-week trial in Manhattan federal court.
The FBI offered a reward of $100,000 for any information leading to his arrest, though warned that his appearance could change and any approach could be dangerous.
“Ignatova is believed to be traveling with armed guards and/or associates,” the agency said. “Ignatova may have had plastic surgery or otherwise changed her appearance.”