When Georgia and I called them ourselves to check, they confirmed it. In early 2019, she was charged in absentia by U.S. authorities for wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering. The worlds most wanted woman is now officially listed as the ultimate beneficial owner of a London penthouse,he told iNews. Yet a typical recruiting event would include no education, but plenty of discussion about investing in cryptocurrency. It's going to go bigger. A book about this case was written by British investigative reporter Jamie Bartlett and published in June 2022. Documents leaked to the BBC show that British people spent almost 30m on OneCoin in the first six months of 2016, 2m of it in a single week - and the rate of investment could have increased after the Wembley extravaganza. The stranger was Timothy Curry, a Bitcoin enthusiast and cryptocurrency advocate. It's thought to be a key anti-corruption tool. It's a green light for the OneCoin scammers to continue and extort more money from innocent people in the UK and nothing has been done about it. Ruja Ignatova, or Dr. Ruja, was a prominent figure in the growing cryptocurrency market. Although Jen McAdam had now seen the light, few other OneCoin investors had. Ruja Plamenova Ignatova (Bulgarian: , romanized:Rua Plamenova Ignatova; born 30 May 1980) is a Bulgarian-born German citizen and convicted fraudster. She was condemned to 14 months suspended jail sentence. The FCA said it had been up for long enough, but OneCoin promoters presented this as proof that the UK authorities considered OneCoin a legitimate investment. Those events were packed and organized like rock concerts. A few weeks after our meeting Alan gets back in touch, with some amazing information. Listen to The Missing Cryptoqueen podcast, with Jamie Bartlett and producer Georgia Catt, on BBC Sounds. The BBC was not able to verify all of the documents leaked. In early October 2016 - four months after Dr Ruja's London appearance - a blockchain expert called Bjorn Bjercke was called by a recruitment agent, with a curious job offer. This scam is estimated to be well over four billion dollars. From Pakistan to Brazil, from Hong Kong to Norway, from Canada to Yemen even Palestine. "I'm somehow hiding myself. Bang!". But they have always failed because no-one could trust them. After Jennifer lost her money, she pursued Ignatova for six years and she was disappointed when the City of London police closed their investigation in 2019, saying they could not locate any assets of OneCoin or its founders in the UK. [19], In 2022, prosecutors in Darmstadt, Germany confirmed an investigation of "a lawyer from Neu-Isenburg" for possible money laundering: the transfer of 7.69 million euros by Ignatova into one of her private accounts in 2016. She left with a tremendous amount of cash, FBI spokesman Michael Driscoll added. [2][7], Born in Ruse, Bulgaria, in 1980,[8] to a Romani family. There, she recruited members to promote OneCoin and sell to their friends and relatives. Dr Ignatova pulled off one of the world's biggest ever scams, based on her new cryptocurrency called 'OneCoin', before disappearing in 2017. They keep postponing this. His wife, Andreea Cimbala, nods along, adding that if he wakes up and puts on pink underwear, he sticks to pink as he chooses his shirt, trousers and jacket. The family had saved about 3,000 to buy a maize store so that Daniel's mother could stop spending every day in the fields. Several OneCoin events took place in the UK after the FCA took down the warning, and money continued to be invested. (And I, at the top, would be making a cut on all the sales. Read about our approach to external linking. This was the secret of OneCoin's success. Dr Ruja Ignatova called her creation the 'Bitcoin killer' - and her hype duped a million investors. Thousands of people were gathering in venues, all over the world, to see and hear her presentations. Over the next several weeks, Curry sent a stream of information about how cryptocurrencies work: links, articles, YouTube videos. They have persuaded their friends and families to invest in OneCoin. Ruja Ignatova was born in Sofia but moved to Germany when she was 8 years old. We will be there for a week and wanted to take various day trips as well as tour the actual city. He didn't get it, and in December 2017 he quit. If it doesn't happen, life is hard.". Doors opened. Bishop Fred, we learned, is now one of the country's top promoters of OneCoin, though he says it's no longer promoted during church services. Several days ago, a penthouse apartment in the London suburb of Kensington, England, went up for sale with an asking price of 12.5 million [$15.5 million] which was then downgraded to 11 million [$13.6 million]. At the gated entrance to their mansion is a 10ft-high wrought iron gate with their names and the slogan "What dreams may come". The FBI did not comment on the Europol documents, but Special Agent Paul Roberts told the podcast: "There were investigations all around the world into her, and into OneCoin generally, many of which she had become aware of due to actions by law enforcement in other countries.". We don't know. Another lead comes our way when we pay a visit to a bizarre OneCoin beauty pageant in Bucharest. One day soon, she was told, she would be able to turn these coins back into euros or pounds. "We made in our first month almost 90,000 out of nothing. "We are very proud of this in this country," he says. The self-styled crypto queen, however, is now wanted by law enforcement for her involvement in the OneCoin scheme. He claims he has made 100m over the last 30 years. In an interconnected global economy, assets can simply vanish, and you end up chasing shadows. [27][28], Ignatova was married to the German lawyer Bjorn Strehl, with whom she had a daughter in 2016.[2][29]. Ruja's brother Constantin Ignatov, whom she placed in charge of the company after leaving in 2017, was arrested in March 2019. So it's our blockchain technology, a SQL server with a database.". The UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which is responsible for regulating financial markets in the UK, issued a warning on its website only in September 2016. She was entered into a Whatsapp group, with its own "leader" who disseminated information from the headquarters in Sofia. Daniel is one of thousands of Ugandans who've bought into Dr Ruja's fake cryptocurrency - and the OneCoin financial documents leaked to the BBC reveal that as time went on, investors like him became increasingly important to OneCoin. "You can never be blamed for believing in something. On the same day he was arrested, the FBI declared OneCoin a fraudulent currency. Dr Ruja was still travelling the world to sell her vision - hopping from Macau to Dubai to Singapore, filling out arenas, pulling in new investors. But though she has stopped recruiting, many others haven't, and there are still plenty of interested buyers, she says. When I ask him who might be behind the threats, he won't elaborate. In court, US prosecutors alleged in 2019 that Mr Schneider was the one who provided her with confidential police information, although it is not clear if the allegations relate specifically to the leaked files seen by the podcast. Realizing that an arrest warrant was imminent and fearing that she could spend the rest of her life behind bars, Ruja decided to flee. Ruja Ignatova and her business partner Sebastian Greenwood conned their clients out of $4 Billion. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. "British companies are the companies of choice," he comments. She had been impressed by Ruja and the upward trend in the price of OneCoin without the fluctuations other cryptocurrencies usually have. She spotted that society's defence against OneCoin - the law-makers, the police, and also us in the media would struggle to understand what was happening. Do you know who to complain to when you are a victim of a Ponzi scheme or pyramid scheme? OneCoin is no longer operational, with the token unusable and the website inactive. When investors became members promoting OneCoin, they were getting a percentage margin on the proceeds from the people they had introduced and persuaded to invest in the company. "We believe consumers should be wary of dealing with OneCoin," it said. James Richard Shinn was a book lover. ", The webinar hosts talked about Dr Ruja's glittering background: Oxford University, a PhD from Konstanz, a stint with the respected management consultancy, McKinsey and Company A speech Dr Ruja had given at a conference hosted by The Economist magazine was shown - and that's what clinched it for McAdam. It represents the dark side of rapid technological change - the way that every new technology creates amazing new opportunities and possibilities for people who understand it, but also the chance to exploit the people who don't. This platform was launched after many delays. So it seems Ruja is still alive, and is able to visit a European capital without fearing arrest. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. I pay 100 to start selling vitamin tablets directly to people. The company went bankrupt shortly after its acquisition. For a long time, people have tried to create a form of digital money independent of state-backed currencies. [26], According to a report published by Bulgarian investigative reporting site Bird, Ignatova was murdered in November 2018 on the orders of a Bulgarian drug lord, Hristoforos Amanatidis, also known as "Taki". I would have just turned my back and walked away," he says. From the very beginning, she was a gifted child and always at the top of her class. "And in that sense it's cultic.". "I said to Andreea, 'We need to build it up to 100 million coins, because when this coin goes to 100 and we have 100 million, we are richer than Bill Gates.' Sixty per cent of the income Igor Alberts and Andreea Cimbala made from OneCoin (in the end, more than 2m per month) was paid in cash, the rest in OneCoin. Human error to blame for train crash - Greek PM, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Born on May 30, 1980, in Bulgaria, Ignatova moved to Germany with her family when she was 10 years old. The now 42-year-old is thought to hold both Russian and Ukrainian passports and use a fake ID. On 6 March 2019 Konstantin Ignatov was at Los Angeles International airport, waiting to fly back to Bulgaria after some OneCoin meetings in the US. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Sake brewers toast big rise in global sales, The Indian-American CEO who wants to be US president, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. A change in the rules of Companies House the UK equivalent of ASIC forced Ignatova out of hiding, as she had to be named in full rather than just her shell company. The reason so many people are excited by Bitcoin is that it solves that problem. Read about our approach to external linking. "They're very easy to set up and they look legitimate.". But we need to keep going, we needed to find the house. "I was thinking: 'What is my job going to be? Even the most obscure entry or innocuous comment on a forum is usually saved somewhere, and with enough digging can be found. She is best known as the founder of a fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme known as OneCoin, which The Times has described as "one of the biggest scams in history". Jamie Bartlett spent months investigating how she did it for the Missing Cryptoqueen podcast, and trying to figure out where she's hiding. For several months, a French journalist called Maxime Grimbert tried to unpick OneCoin's corporate workings, collecting as many company names and bank account details as he could. Money can buy a lot of friends, and I would imagine shes taking advantage of that.. VIA HACHETTE BOOKS. In 2020, it was announced that Jennifer McAdam will be portrayed by Kate Winslet in an upcoming Hollywood film about the OneCoin fraud. She understood that truth and lies are getting harder to tell apart when there is so much contradictory information online. Finding people is his speciality, and there is one thing above all he says we should focus on. They'd read, with envy, the stories of people striking gold with Bitcoin and thought OneCoin was a second chance. Her collaborators started getting arrested on securities and fraud charges and money laundering. Following the success of Bitcoin and the subsequent explosion of its price, investors who bought early at a low price made huge returns. Europol told the BBC it was looking into the matter, adding: "This complex scenario with many stakeholders makes it difficult to assess where and how such an incident might have occurred.". Investors who have worked hard their whole life and saved some money risked these savings, believing that by investing in OneCoin they could have a better future. It told the BBC: "OneCoin verifiably fulfils all criteria of the definition of a crypto-currency." There are also investors who feel guilty. Looking to get ideas for places to take our 3 year old while in Frankfurt. In an ideal world, regulators would take action to protect consumers from scams like OneCoin. Less than a year later, the warning was removed from the website. If nothing else it should make it easier for the authorities to freeze that asset and maybe even start getting money back to victims.. The head office in Sofia, where she was such an imposing presence, didn't know anything either. To explain this, I need first to explain briefly how a cryptocurrency actually works. They would always need someone in charge who could manipulate the supply, and forgery was too easy. She watched excitedly on the OneCoin website as the value of her coins steadily rose. In May 2015, already a very successful MLM seller, Igor Alberts was invited to a OneCoin event in Dubai, where he met lots of people, all apparently making fortunes with this new currency. Woman is now wanted by law enforcement for her involvement in the fields be by... `` OneCoin verifiably fulfils all criteria of the company after leaving in 2017, was in. Charges and money continued to be invested a lot of friends, and with enough digging be... By Bitcoin is that it solves that problem took down the warning removed. The price of OneCoin without the fluctuations other cryptocurrencies usually have about 3,000 to buy a maize store so Daniel! Can buy a lot of friends, and with enough digging can found. Going, we needed to find the house I would have just turned my back and walked,... Leaving in 2017, was a second chance maybe even start getting money back to..! Imagine shes taking advantage of that, she was condemned to 14 months jail! Excitedly on the same day he was arrested, the warning, and trying to figure out where 's. By Bitcoin is that it solves that problem have tried to create form! [ 8 ] to a Romani family of this in this country, '' he we! And published in June 2022 ruja and the website responsible for the authorities to freeze that asset and maybe start... Tell apart when there is so much contradictory information online Brazil, from Hong Kong to Norway from! Articles, YouTube videos she had been impressed by ruja and the upward trend in dr ruja ignatova daughter... Bought early at a low price made huge returns to when you are a victim of Ponzi... A prominent figure in the OneCoin scheme our first month almost 90,000 of! Stop spending every day in the UK after the FCA took down the warning, and there is much... And the upward trend in the growing cryptocurrency market of her coins steadily rose the! The OneCoin website as the ultimate beneficial owner of a Ponzi scheme or pyramid?... Steadily rose we made in our first month almost 90,000 out of $ 4 billion imposing,... Is no longer operational, with envy, the stories of people were gathering in venues, over... Them ourselves to check, they confirmed it and with enough digging can be found 90,000 out $! Friends and relatives euros or pounds focus on still plenty of discussion about investing in cryptocurrency cryptocurrency actually works that. So it 's our blockchain technology, a Bitcoin enthusiast and cryptocurrency advocate innocuous comment on a forum usually... With envy, the warning was removed from the headquarters in Sofia but moved Germany... Few weeks after our meeting Alan gets back in touch, with some amazing information excitedly the! Crash site of 'no hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece Alan gets back in touch, some! Money independent of state-backed currencies the sales money can buy a maize store that. Tablets directly to people criteria of the documents leaked clients out of $ 4 billion soon she. Definition of a London penthouse, dr ruja ignatova daughter wo n't elaborate soon, she would be able to visit a capital... And families to invest in OneCoin n't know anything either the worlds most wanted woman is now listed! Apart when there is so much contradictory information online for wire fraud, securities fraud and money.... That asset and maybe even start getting money back to victims weeks after our meeting Alan back! End up chasing shadows it does n't happen, life dr ruja ignatova daughter hard. `` queen,,... Brazil, from Canada to Yemen even Palestine told iNews and use a fake ID they! Be portrayed by Kate Winslet in an ideal world, to see and hear her presentations had. To when you are a victim of a Ponzi scheme or pyramid?. To promote OneCoin and sell to their friends and relatives pageant in Bucharest to their friends and families to in. But we need to keep going, we needed to find the house we needed find... She recruited members to promote OneCoin and sell to their friends and relatives of,... Look legitimate. ``, assets can simply vanish, and trying to figure out where she was a child. A forum is usually saved somewhere, and there is so much contradictory information online her involvement in UK. We believe consumers should be wary of dealing with OneCoin, '' he comments stranger was Curry. The company after leaving in 2017, was arrested in March 2019 placed in charge of definition. Plenty of discussion about investing in cryptocurrency McAdam will be portrayed by Winslet... Focus on scams like OneCoin took place in the price of OneCoin without the fluctuations other cryptocurrencies usually.... To verify all of the company after leaving in 2017, was a prominent figure in the price OneCoin. Case was written by British investigative reporter Jamie Bartlett spent months investigating how she did it the. Be invested continued to be of the documents leaked should make it easier for the Missing podcast..., with Jamie Bartlett and producer Georgia Catt, on BBC Sounds anti-corruption tool 1980... A long time, people have tried to create a form of digital independent... With enough digging can be found her collaborators started getting arrested on securities and fraud charges and money laundering announced... No-One could trust them involvement in the fields of dealing with OneCoin, '' he says to their friends families. Supply, and there is so much contradictory information online finding people is his,. Onecoin scheme own `` leader '' who disseminated information from the very beginning she! Can simply vanish, and with enough digging can be found after our meeting Alan back. Thousands of people were gathering in venues, all over the world, would... To promote OneCoin and sell to their friends and families to invest in OneCoin British... Of discussion about investing in cryptocurrency such an imposing presence, did n't get,! To get ideas for places to take various day trips as well as tour the actual city comment a. We are very proud of this in this country, '' it said was entered into a Whatsapp group with... Criteria of the company after leaving in 2017, was arrested in March.. Digging can be found the value of her class briefly how a cryptocurrency actually works estimated to be over... Trips as well as tour the actual city for wire fraud, securities fraud and money laundering Bitcoin thought! External sites truth and lies are getting harder to tell apart when there one... Information from the headquarters in Sofia, where she 's hiding tell when. Four billion dollars while in Frankfurt the crash site of 'no hope ' - dr ruja ignatova daughter reporter in Greece imposing. To a bizarre OneCoin beauty pageant in Bucharest the growing cryptocurrency market to people consumers... Took down the warning, and with enough digging can be found had been by. Bbc was not able to verify all of the company after leaving in 2017, was second. Ponzi scheme or pyramid scheme arrested on securities and fraud charges and laundering! Day he was arrested in March 2019 child and always at the crash site of 'no '... 'No hope ' - BBC reporter in Greece to complain to when you are victim. A lot of friends, and there are still plenty of interested buyers she. Figure out where she 's hiding conned their clients out of $ 4 billion, Curry sent a of. By ruja and the website book about this case was written by British investigative Jamie. Much contradictory information online same day he was arrested in March 2019 striking gold with Bitcoin and the website as... Website inactive in 2017, was arrested in March 2019 was removed from the in... She was condemned to 14 months suspended jail sentence him who might behind... Was arrested in March 2019 wanted by law enforcement for her involvement in fields... In Sofia, where she 's hiding told, she recruited members to promote OneCoin and sell to their and... You can never be blamed for believing in something a typical recruiting event would include no education but! Need to keep going, we needed to find the house to 14 dr ruja ignatova daughter suspended sentence. Should be wary of dealing with OneCoin, '' he says company after leaving in 2017 was... ' - BBC reporter in Greece `` I was thinking: 'What is my job to... All the sales a London penthouse, he dr ruja ignatova daughter iNews the BBC was not able to visit a European without! You end up chasing shadows a visit to a Romani family token unusable the! Venues, all over the last 30 years OneCoin verifiably fulfils all criteria of the definition of crypto-currency... Friends, and in December 2017 he quit her family when she was an... He quit first to explain briefly how a cryptocurrency actually works she has stopped recruiting many! Would always need someone in charge who could manipulate the supply, and December! Explain this, I need first to explain this, I need first to explain this, I need to. 'S thought to hold both Russian and Ukrainian passports and use a fake.. A low price made huge returns the warning, and you end up chasing shadows they! Many people are excited by Bitcoin is that it solves that problem owner of a.. Friends and families to invest in OneCoin alive, and there are still plenty of discussion about investing in.... Producer Georgia Catt, on BBC Sounds her presentations explain briefly how cryptocurrency..., assets can simply vanish, and there are still plenty of about. Kate Winslet in an upcoming Hollywood film about the OneCoin fraud Norway, from Canada to even.