Published on augustus 8, 2024, 12:31 am
Image source: Fox News
```json [ "TLDR: Ruja Ignatova aka Cryptoqueen has been missing since 2017, accused of orchestrating a $4 billion Ponzi scheme with OneCoin. High Court imposed a freezing order on her assets and associates. FBI listed her as one of their Ten Most Wanted. US offered $5 million for info leading to her capture. Her brother confessed to charges in 2019. Others involved like Mark Scott and Karl Greenwood have faced legal consequences.", "Authorities worldwide are searching for clues about the whereabouts of the 'Cryptoqueen' Ruja Ignatova, accused of running a $4 billion Ponzi scheme with OneCoin before vanishing in 2017." ] ```
The infamous figure known as the “Cryptoqueen” has been missing since 2017, leaving investigative authorities across the globe in search of clues regarding her whereabouts. An Aug. 7 ruling from the United Kingdom’s High Court of Justice saw a Worldwide Freezing Order imposed against Ruja Ignatova, the individual behind the OneCoin scheme, along with several alleged associates.
Over 400 victims affected by the collapse of OneCoin banded together to request the freezing of assets belonging to Ignatova, Sebastian Greenwood, Christopher Hamilton, Robert MacDonald, and four influencers who promoted OneCoin. Furthermore, business entities linked to Ignatova allegedly involved in money laundering activities were also targeted for asset freezing worldwide.
Ruja Ignatova stands accused of orchestrating a massive Ponzi scheme amounting to around $4 billion from Onecoin’s establishment in 2014 until its downfall in 2017 when she vanished. The last confirmed sighting of the Cryptoqueen dates back to Athens, Greece in 2017. This disappearance prompted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to include her on their Ten Most Wanted list.
In January 2024, the United States State Department initiated a reward program offering $5 million for any information leading to Ignatova’s capture and conviction. Despite alleged sightings surfacing occasionally, her exact location remains a mystery.
Konstantin Ignatov, Ruja’s brother, admitted guilt to charges of money laundering and fraud back in 2019. While facing up to a potential prison term of 90 years for his involvement in the Ponzi scheme, he was released after cooperating with US authorities and testifying against OneCoin lawyer Mark Scott.
Mark Scott was found guilty on bank fraud and money laundering charges in 2019; however, his sentence was notably lighter than what US prosecutors advocated for—a discrepancy compared to what they deemed appropriate given his offenses.
Another co-founder of OneCoin, Karl Greenwood met a similar fate when he was convicted in 2023 and received a hefty 20-year sentence for his complicity in the fraudulent operation. Additionally, Greenwood had to forfeit $300 million derived from his role in facilitating the OneCoin scam.
Original article posted by Fox News
