The search for Ruja Ignatova, the mastermind behind the infamous OneCoin cryptocurrency scam, has taken a new turn with a significant increase in the reward offered for her capture. Authorities are now offering up to $5 million for information leading to her arrest and/or conviction.
OneCoin, co-founded by Ignatova in 2014, promised investors a revolutionary new cryptocurrency. However, authorities allege it was a massive pyramid scheme. Millions were allegedly defrauded out of billions of dollars with promises of high returns and a “financial revolution.” OneCoin itself is believed to have been worthless from the outset.
Following an indictment on fraud charges in the United States in 2017, Ignatova vanished. She is believed to have fled shortly before the charges became public. Her whereabouts remain unknown, although authorities believe she may be using aliases and traveling internationally.
The increased reward reflects the international effort to apprehend Ignatova. In June 2024, the FBI upped its reward to $100,000, adding to a previous reward offered by German authorities. This latest increase to $5 million signifies a renewed determination to bring Ignatova to justice.
For the victims of the OneCoin scheme, Ignatova’s capture represents a potential for some measure of justice. Recovering stolen funds is also a possibility. Authorities believe Ignatova may still possess a significant amount of money obtained through the fraud.
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Despite the intensified manhunt, Ruja Ignatova, also known as the “Cryptoqueen,” remains a fugitive. The question of whether the $5 million reward will be enough to entice someone with information to come forward is yet to be answered.
If you have information, please contact the FBI via Telegram: @RujaReward, Signal: @RujaReward.01, or online at tips.fbi.gov. If you are located outside of the United States, you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If in the United States, you can also contact the local FBI office.
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