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Fugitive ‘Cryptoqueen’ reward up to $5 million
A reward for information leading to the arrest of Ruja Ignatova, known as the missing crypto queen, has been increased by US authorities to $5 million (£4 million).
The 44-year-old German woman of Bulgarian origin is wanted by the FBI for orchestrating a $4.5 billion cryptocurrency scam called OneCoin.
She has been missing since 2017, when US authorities signed an arrest warrant and investigators began closing in on her.
Three weeks ago, a BBC podcast and documentary revealed his links to the Bulgarian underworld and to the alleged mafia boss involved in his disappearance and, presumably, his possible murder.
However, the authorities continue to prosecute Ms. Ignatova.
In 2022, the FBI added her to its 10 Most Wanted list, offering a reward of $100,000, later increased to $250,000.
On Wednesday, that amount increased twentyfold, under the U.S. State Department’s Transnational Organized Crime Reward Program.
“We are offering a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of German citizen Ruja Ignatova, known as ‘Cryptoqueen,’ for her role in one of the largest global fraud schemes in history.” , the US state said. Department spokesman Matthew Miller.
She is currently the only woman targeted by the US program.
A reward of up to $5 million is being offered for information on Daniel Kinahan, the alleged head of one of Europe’s largest drug cartels.
The same sum is offered for information on Semion Mogilevich, an alleged crime boss living in Russia, and Yulan Adonay Archaga Carías, known as Porky, the highest-ranking member of the MS-13 criminal gang in Honduras.
German authorities have already charged Ruja Ignatova.
In Bulgaria, where OneCoin operated from its capital, Sofia, an official said on Wednesday that it would be charged in absentia.
Jamie Bartlett, whose BBC podcast has drawn worldwide attention to her story, she believes the increased reward is aimed at people who may still be protecting her.
“The FBI is now focusing its efforts on those around Dr. Ruja, trying to get her closest associates to get in touch.
“$100,000 wouldn’t be enough to convince a young crime syndicate member or personal bodyguard to call the FBI hotline—it’s too risky. But $5 million might just do it.
“We’ll probably know within a few weeks whether it worked.”
The Missing Cryptoregine: Dead or Alive?
The CEO of the fake OneCoin cryptocurrency, Ruja Ignatova, is the FBI’s most wanted woman. She stole billions and then she disappeared. New evidence reveals what may have happened. Did she disappear or was she killed?
Watch now on BBC iPlayer (UK only) or on BBC One on Monday 3 June at 8pm (10.40pm in Wales). Outside the UK, look on YouTube