In Pursuit With John Walsh is joining the worldwide hunt for the self-proclaimed CryptoQueen, Ruta Ignatova, who has been on the run since 2017. Ignatova is charged with running a Ponzi scheme that defrauded millions of people out of $4 billion.
In approximately 2014, Ignatova created OneCoin Ltd, a Bulgaria-based cryptocurrency firm that claimed to offer a technological revolution that would soon surpass BitCoin and bring great wealth to its investors.
Unfortunately, Ignatova and her associates, including the now-convicted Karl Sebastian Greenwood, were running a Ponzi scheme. Ignatova and Greenwood organized splashy events in London, New York, and elsewhere, where they encouraged people to part with their hard-earned cash.
The fraudsters then pocketed the cash, allegedly used to purchase luxury goods, designer clothes, yachts, and homes for the fraudsters worldwide.
By 2017, the authorities began to suspect Ignatova and Greenwood. Federal agents intercepted emails between the two in which they trashed their own product and called their investors “idiots” and “crazy.”
In another email from 2014, Ignatova wrote to Greenwood, suggesting they should “take the money and run and blame somebody else for this.”
Ruta Ignatova disappeared shortly after charges of fraud emerged
On October 12, 2017, a district court in New York charged Ignatova with fraud. A couple of weeks later, she boarded a flight in Sofia, Bulgaria, bound for Athens, Greece, and was never seen again.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelIn February 2018, Ignatova was officially indicted in absentia on one count each of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, and securities fraud. She is the only woman on the FBI’s 10 Most Wanted list.
In July 2018, Greenwood was arrested at his home in Thailand and was extradited to the United States.
He eventually pleaded guilty to wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and conspiracy to launder money and was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. He was also ordered to forgo £300 million.
Ruta Ignatova could be anywhere in the world as her disappearance continues to baffle authorities
Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Ignatova remain a mystery. Rumors have circulated that the CrytptoQueen may have been murdered by her associates or by people within organized crime in Bulgaria.
The FBI states that Ignatova may be traveling on a German passport and may have traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Greece, and/or Eastern Europe.
The Feds also state that Ignatova may have had plastic surgery. She is likely traveling with armed guards.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $250,000 for any information that leads to an arrest.
In Pursuit With John Walsh airs Wednesdays at 10/9c on Investigation Discovery.