Ruzha Ignatova is being investigated for one of the largest fraud schemes in history. The US has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to her arrest and/or conviction.
The Sofia City Prosecutor's Office (SGP) has brought Ruzha Ignatova, a German citizen of Bulgarian origin, as a defendant in pre-trial proceedings initiated in connection with materials received from foreign law enforcement agencies.
Ignatova is charged as a defendant for having formed and led an organized criminal group on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria in the period from 2014 to 2017, created to commit investment fraud under the Ponzi scheme, as and for profit.
Ruzha Ignatova is also charged with money laundering - for the fact that in the period from 2014 to 2017, under the conditions of a continuing crime, as an instigator and helper in some cases, and in others as a perpetrator, she carried out numerous transactions for property disposal, thereby concealing the origin and actual rights to property, which she knew was acquired by criminal activity - Ponzi-type investment fraud, as the acts were carried out in compliance with a decision of the OPG, the property is in particularly large sizes and the case is particularly heavy. The above is a crime under Art. 253, para. 5 in connection with para. 3 of the Criminal Code, which is punishable by imprisonment from 5 to 15 years and a fine.
The accused has been ordered to be detained for up to 72 hours, which will be carried out when she is found.
BGNES reminds that just a few days ago, the "disappeared crypto queen" Ruzha Ignatova received a global asset freeze, following a class action by defrauded investors.
On June 26, 2024, at the Courthouse in the city of Sofia, i.f. Chief Prosecutor of the Republic of Bulgaria Borislav Sarafov and the Ambassador of the United States of America to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten made a statement in connection with conducting a joint investigation against the criminal activity of the German citizen of Bulgarian origin Ruzha Ignatova and the financial pyramid "OneCoin" led by her.
I.F. chief prosecutor Borislav Sarafov emphasized the need for cooperation of the law enforcement authorities of individual countries in countering crimes that "accumulate significant financial and material assets acquired through criminal means".
For his part, the US ambassador to Bulgaria H.E. Kenneth Merten said the US government has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Ruzha Ignatova, who is being investigated for one of the largest fraud schemes in history for over 4 billion US dollars. | BGNES
