Ruja Ignatova, also known as the “Crypto Queen,” could have been murdered by a Bulgarian drug lord, according to new evidence that has come to light.
Ignatova had scammed investors out of $4.5 billion (£3.54bn) after promising high returns to gullible victims if they invested in her fake cryptocurrency, OneCoin.
The One Coin Scam
“Crypto Queen” Ruja Ignatova is the only woman on the FBI’s most wanted list thanks to her staggering $4.5 billion crypto scam. Now, the BBC’s investigation team has published new evidence about the alleged murder of the fraudster and uncovered links to organized crime. Ignatova had scammed millions of gullible users into investing in her scam and then fled with the funds. The scam drew immense media attention, leading to the arrest of key individuals linked to the scheme.
The latest arrest was that of William Moro, who pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank fraud in connection with the OneCoin scam.
“U.S. officials arrest William Morro for bank fraud, alleging he moved $35 million linked to the #OneCoin crypto scheme in 2016. In or about 2016, in the Southern District of New York and elsewhere, William Morro, the defendant, and others known and unknown willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and with each other to commit an offense against the United States, to wit, bank fraud.”
The Fate Of Ruja Ignatova
Ignatova had taken the services of Hristoforos Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis, also known as Taki, to help and safeguard her during her escape. Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis is also a dreaded Bulgarian drug kingpin and mafioso who is linked with several armed robberies and murders. Taki allegedly received €100,000 per month for Ignatova’s protection. Speaking about the drug lord, former Bulgarian Deputy Minister Ivan Hristanov, stated,
“When we talk about Taki, he’s the head of the mafia in Bulgaria. He’s extremely powerful. “Taki is the ghost. You’ll never see him. You only hear about him. He’s talking to you through other people. If you don’t listen, you just disappear from earth. The only person who can protect her [Ignatova] from all those investigations, including from foreign agencies – it was Taki.”
Taki reportedly lives in Dubai in one of Ignatova’s luxury penthouses.
Protector Turned Aggressor
Bulgarian investigative journalist Dimitar Stoyanov broke the news of Ignatova’s murder after coming across a police report found at the home of a murdered Bulgarian police officer. The document revealed details about a police informant overhearing Taki’s brother-in-law drunkenly talking about Ignatova being murdered on the orders of Taki in late 2018. According to the document, Ignatova’s body was dismembered and dumped into the Ionian Sea, an account that Mr Stoyanov says is very likely.
Bulgarian officials also confirmed the authenticity of the document, and multiple associates of Taki believe the theory of her murder to be true. According to the associates, Ms Ignatova had become a liability, and Taki wished to eliminate his links to the OneCoin fraud.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. It is not offered or intended to be used as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
