"Crypto Queen" Ruja Ignatova added to FBI’s Top 10 Most-Wanted List

"Crypto Queen" Ruja Ignatova added to FBI’s Top 10 Most-Wanted List

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) profiled the Onecoin cryptocurrency scam and its co-founder Ruja Ignatova, aka "Crypto Queen," in a new podcast. Onecoin was one of the world’s biggest crypto scams, and Ignatova was recently added to the FBI’s 10 most wanted fugitives list.

FBI on the Onecoin Crypto Scam and Ruja Ignatova

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) published an "Inside the FBI" podcast episode last week titled "Ten Most Wanted Fugitive Ruja Ignatova." Also known to some as the "Crypto Queen," Ignatova co-founded Onecoin, one of the world’s largest cryptocurrency scams.

Inside the FBI podcast highlights news, cases, and people from around the bureau in audio form. Monica Grover, the show host from the FBI’s Office of Public Affairs, explained:

"On this episode of Inside the FBI, we’ll learn how Ignatova, through a company once marketed as the ‘Bitcoin killer,’ didn’t change the world but instead robbed investors of billions of dollars."

Ignatova was included in the FBI’s 10 most wanted fugitives list in June. The law enforcement agency is offering a reward of up to USD 100,000 for information leading to her arrest.

The Onecoin co-founder is also on the list of Europe’s most wanted. Europol is offering a reward of up to 5,000 euros (USD 5,000) for any information that could lead to the arrest of Ignatova.

"On October 12, 2017, Ignatova was charged in connection with the Onecoin fraud scheme, and a federal warrant was issued for her arrest," Grover explained in the seven-minute podcast episode, adding:

"Investigators believe she may have been tipped off that she was under investigation. She traveled from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, on October 25, 2017, and has not been seen since."

The Greek Police reportedly received intelligence regarding the whereabouts of Ignatova in July.

"She’s currently 42 years old and has brown eyes and dark brown to black hair. However, investigators believe she could have changed her physical appearance," Grover further detailed. "Ignatova speaks English, German, and Bulgarian. She may be traveling on a fraudulent passport and has known connections in Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. She’s known to have lived a lavish lifestyle."

The podcast concludes with Grover urging anyone with information about Ignatova to contact their local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips can also be reported online anonymously.