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Fugitive ‘Cryptoqueen’ Gets Up to $5 Million Reward
Image source, Facebook/Dr.RujaIgnatova
Image caption: The so-called CryptoQueen has been missing since 2017About the article
- Author, Rob Byrne
- Role, BBC News
-
June 27, 2024
US authorities have increased the reward to $5m (£4m) for information leading to the arrest of Ruja Ignatova, known as the missing Cryptoregina.
The 44-year-old German-born Bulgarian woman is wanted by the FBI for orchestrating a $4.5 billion cryptocurrency scam called OneCoin.
She has been missing since 2017, when U.S. authorities signed an arrest warrant and investigators began closing in on her.
Three weeks ago, a BBC podcast and documentary revealed his links to the Bulgarian underworld and to the alleged mafia boss involved in his disappearance and, presumably, his possible murder.
However, the authorities continue to pursue Ms Ignatova.
In 2022, the FBI added her to its 10 Most Wanted list, offering a reward of $100,000, later increased to $250,000.
On Wednesday, that amount increased twenty-fold again, under the U.S. State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Reward Program.
“We are offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of German citizen Ruja Ignatova, known as ‘Cryptoqueen,’ for her role in one of the largest global fraud schemes in history.” , the US state said. Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
She is currently the only woman targeted by the US program.
A reward of up to $5 million is being offered for information on Daniel Kinahan, the alleged head of one of Europe’s largest drug cartels.
The same amount is up for grabs for information on Semion Mogilevich, an alleged Russian mafia boss, and Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, known as Porky, the highest-ranking member of the MS-13 criminal gang in Honduras.
German authorities have already charged Ruja Ignatova.
In Bulgaria, where OneCoin operated from its capital, Sofia, an official said Wednesday that she would be charged in absentia.
James Bartlett, whose BBC podcast has drawn worldwide attention to her story, she believes the increased reward is aimed at people who may still be protecting her.
“The FBI is now focusing its efforts on the people surrounding Dr. Ruja, trying to convince her close associates to get in touch.
“$100,000 wouldn’t convince a junior crime syndicate member or personal bodyguard to call the FBI hotline—it’s too risky. But $5 million might.
“We’ll probably know within a few weeks whether it worked.”
The Missing Crypto Queen: Dead or Alive?
The CEO of the fake cryptocurrency OneCoin, Ruja Ignatova, is the FBI’s most wanted woman. She stole billions and then she disappeared. New evidence reveals what may have happened. Did she disappear or was she killed?
Dr. Ruja Ignatova’s search takes an unexpected turn when a story emerges claiming she was murdered. But with the Dr. Ruja sightings continuing to come in, can it be true?