Crypto-Queen: BKA is looking for a fugitive fraudster worldwide – she is said to have caused billions in damage

Ruja Ignatova is best known as the founder of the cryptocurrency OneCoin. Now she is on Europol’s “Most Wanted” list and is considered a fraudster worth billions.

Bielefeld – “Kryptoqueen”: With this title, the German-Bulgarian Dr. Ruja Ignatova a name worldwide. But she has been in hiding since October 2017. Because their fraud with the supposed cryptocurrency OneCoin has been exposed. There is now a German and a European arrest warrant against the fraudster who grew up in Germany.

Ruja Ignatova: OneCoin founder leaves behind billions of dollars in damage

The Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA) and the State Criminal Police Office of North Rhine-Westphalia (LKA-NRW) have issued a public search. It says literally: “The doctorate in law Dr. Ruja Ignatova is suspected of being the driving force and intellectual inventor of the supposed cryptocurrency ‘OneCoin’ to have prompted investors worldwide to invest in this actually worthless ‘currency’.” According to the BKA, the fraud damage is in the upper double-digit million range. Media reports speak of 88 million euros. “The damage caused worldwide is likely to amount to several billion US dollars,” the BKA report continues.

Ignatova promised OneCoin investors: “We are the Bitcoin killer. We’re faster, safer and cheaper.” But the big promises turned into a big disappointment for investors. Because of the money invested, Ignatova made a nice life. As reported by Buzzfeed.com, she is said to have drawn 500 million euros from the fraud herself – her brother testified in court. Konstantin Ignatov was also involved in the OneCoin business. After his sister disappeared without a trace in October 2017, he became the face of the dubious cryptocurrency. He was then arrested at Los Angeles Airport in March 2019. Since then he has been working with the FBI to find his sister.

OneCoin: Ruja Ignatova was last seen in Athens

The BKA writes in the search that Ignatova could be abroad and also with potential supporters. It’s also possible that she had surgery to alter her appearance. “You should also have considerable financial resources,” it says. She was last seen at Athens airport. There she was received by two Russian-speaking men, reports buzzfeed.de.

Anyone who can provide information leading to Ruja Ignatova’s arrest will receive a reward of up to 5,000 euros. The LKA requests information by calling +49 211 939 – 6521 or any other police station. On Wednesday evening (May 11, 8:15 p.m.) there will also be a public manhunt on the ZDF program “Aktenzeichen XY”. Interpol and Europol are now also involved in the search.