CryptoQueen and Ruja Ignatova, who stole billions of dollars, may be hiding in SA

“CryptoQueen” Ruja Ignatova, accused of fraud in Bulgaria and across Europe worth over $4 billion, is believed to be hiding in Cape Town, South Africa.

Ignatova, who is originally from Bulgaria and has been missing since 2017, is currently on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Most Wanted list.

Watch: Inside the FBI Podcast: Top Ten Fugitive Ruja Ignatova

Prize

The FBI is offering a reward of $5 million (about R90 million) for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Ignatova.

“CryptoQueen” is believed to travel with armed guards or associates, according to the FBI.

“Ignatova may have had plastic surgery or otherwise altered her appearance,” the FBI said.

Ignatova is wanted for her alleged involvement in a large-scale fraud scheme that began in 2014.

ALSO READ: Two suspects caught in R34 million crypto scam

Fraud involving billions

The FBI alleges that Ignatova and her associates defrauded billions of dollars from investors around the world.

“Ignatova was the founder of OneCoin Ltd, a Bulgaria-based company that markets a so-called cryptocurrency. To carry out the scheme, the FBI alleged that Ignatova made false statements and statements to individuals to encourage investment in OneCoin.

“He allegedly instructed victims to transfer investment funds into their OneCoin accounts to purchase OneCoin packages, causing the victims to send wire transfers representing those investments. Throughout the scheme, OneCoin is believed to have defrauded victims of more than $4 billion.

“Ignatova served as the top leader of OneCoin until October 2017. On October 25, 2017, Ignatova traveled from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, and may have traveled to other locations,” the FBI said.

hiding in SA

Rumors suggest that Ignatova may have been murdered by former underworld associates and her body dismembered and thrown into the Ionian Sea.

However, German police are investigating the possibility that he is alive and hiding in South Africa. Daily Maverick.

Citizen Police Minister Senzo Mchunu’s spokesperson has been reached for comment, which will be added once the comment is received.

Hints pointing to Ignatova’s presence in South Africa were first reported in Germany. included in a documentary.

german broadcast Der Spiegel also published an article on 8 November 2024 suggesting that police suspected previous reports about Ignatova’s death were false and that they were following leads in South Africa.

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