The elusive “Crypto Queen” Ruja Ignatova, mastermind behind the infamous OneCoin scam, remains a thorn in the side of law enforcement despite a significant increase in the reward for her capture. The US Department of State Increased the ante for a staggering $5 million this week, the latest breakthrough in a years-long chase that has captivated the cryptocurrency world.
Ghost of the Crypto Queen
Ignatova, once nicknamed the Queen of crypto for her flamboyant personality and promises of a revolutionary digital currency, disappeared in 2017 shortly before being indicted for fraud. OneCoin, the project she co-founded, promised investors unimaginable returns on a supposedly revolutionary cryptocurrency. However, authorities say it was nothing more than a meticulously designed Ponzi scheme that bilked billions of dollars from unsuspecting victims around the world.
Net closes on OneCoin agents
While Ignatova While she managed to stay one step ahead of the law, a number of her associates were not so lucky. Its co-founder, Karl Sebastian Greenwood, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after being extradited from Thailand.
Even Ignatova’s own brother, Konstantin, was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to money laundering and fraud. Former OneCoin Head of Compliance Irina Dilkinska also recently joined the growing list of those convicted. A corner agents.
Total crypto market cap at $2.2 trillion on the daily chart: TradingView.com
The disappearance of the queen of cryptocurrencies: a mafia mystery?
Ignatova’s escape fueled speculation and conspiracy theories. The FBI believes she may have had plastic surgery to alter her appearance and may be using a German passport. Some investigators have even ventured into the underbelly of organized crime, suggesting that Ignatova may have met a grisly end at the hands of a Bulgarian crime lord with whom she was allegedly affiliated.
The hunt intensifies
This hefty reward means new pressure from authorities to bring Ignatova to justice. The FBI is urging anyone with information to come forward, with the promise of anonymity if necessary. Social media has also become a battleground, with dedicated channels spreading information about Ignatova and the OneCoin scam in hopes of generating leads.
Beyond the reward: a fight for justice
Ignatova’s capture goes beyond the promise of a hefty reward. It represents a chance for closure for the countless victims who lost their life savings to the OneCoin scheme. Bringing Ignatova to justice would also serve as a stark warning to those seeking to exploit the burgeoning world of cryptocurrencies.
The Crypto Queen may be a ghost for now, but with a net tightening around her and a record-breaking reward on the table, her days as a fugitive could be numbered. The police are determined to make her pay for the damage she left behind.
Featured image from Wikidata, chart from TradingView
