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Ruja Ignatova (fugitive)

The person at the center of this case

Ruja Ignatova (fugitive)

Case
#1202
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); United States District Court, Southern District of New York
Cold Case · Open
8 years waiting · since 2017

RUJA IGNATOVA

Justice for Ruja Ignatova (fugitive) — the trail went cold in 2017, but the truth hasn't.

Start here

Key leads to think about

🎯
suspect
Lead #1

Where has Ignatova been since October 25, 2017? Which countries has she traveled to using her German passport?

🔍
evidence
Lead #2

What financial records or accounts can trace the $4 billion in defrauded funds and reveal Ignatova's current resources?

📞
contact
Lead #3

Who are the armed guards and associates traveling with Ignatova, and can they be identified and located?

Ruja Ignatova, founder of OneCoin Ltd., is wanted for orchestrating a massive cryptocurrency fraud scheme that defrauded investors of over $4 billion worldwide between 2014 and 2017. She disappeared on October 25, 2017, after traveling from Sofia, Bulgaria to Athens, Greece, and her current whereabouts remain unknown despite an international manhunt. Ignatova may be traveling under a German passport with armed associates and may have altered her appearance, making her identification and apprehension critical to recovering victim assets and holding her accountable.

Case
#1202
SourceFBI WantedUpdated Mar 15, 2026
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); United States District Court, Southern District of New York

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More leads to consider

Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.

💡
clue
Lead #4

Has Ignatova undergone plastic surgery or other physical alterations? Are there recent sightings or surveillance footage from UAE, Russia, or Eastern Europe?

👤
person
Lead #5

What is Ignatova's current identity or alias, and does she maintain contact with OneCoin associates or family members?

Have information about any of these leads?

Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.

Official wording

Source Narrative

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering; Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud; Securities Fraud Caution: Ruja Ignatova is wanted for her alleged participation in a large-scale fraud scheme. Beginning in approximately 2014, Ignatova and others are alleged to have defrauded billions of dollars from investors all over the world.

Ignatova was the founder of OneCoin Ltd., a Bulgaria-based company that marketed a purported cryptocurrency. In order to execute the scheme, Ignatova allegedly made false statements and representations to individuals in order to solicit investments in OneCoin.

She allegedly instructed victims to transmit investment funds to OneCoin accounts in order to purchase OneCoin packages, causing victims to send wire transfers representing these investments. Throughout the scheme, OneCoin is believed to have defrauded victims out of more than $4 billion.

Ignatova served as OneCoin's top leader through October 2017. On October 25, 2017, Ignatova traveled from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece, and may have traveled elsewhere after that.

She may travel on a German passport to the United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Germany, Russia, Greece and/or Eastern Europe. On October 12, 2017, Ignatova was charged in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York and a federal warrant was issued for her arrest.

On February 6, 2018, a superseding indictment was issued charging Ignatova with one count each of Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud; Wire Fraud; Conspiracy to Commit Money Laundering; Conspiracy to Commit Securities Fraud; and Securities Fraud. Remarks: Ignatova is believed to travel with armed guards and/or associates.

Ignatova may have had plastic surgery or otherwise altered her appearance.

Timeline of Events

🕵️
2014

OneCoin fraud scheme begins

Ignatova and associates begin defrauding investors worldwide through OneCoin Ltd., a purported cryptocurrency company

🕵️
2017-10-12

Federal charges filed

Ignatova charged in United States District Court, Southern District of New York with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and related offenses

👤
2017-10-25

Ignatova disappears

Ignatova travels from Sofia, Bulgaria to Athens, Greece and subsequently disappears; her current location remains unknown

Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case

Case Information

Incident:January 1, 2014
Last Updated:June 7, 2026

Up to $5 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case

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Case Information

Incident:January 1, 2014
Last Updated:June 7, 2026

Up to $5 Reward

For information leading to the resolution of this case