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Crime & Justice • Cryptocurrency

Ruja Ignatova

Ruja Plamenova Ignatova is a Bulgarian-German former entrepreneur and convicted fraudster best known as the founder of OneCoin, a cryptocurrency scheme widely described as a major scam.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ruja Plamenova Ignatova is a Bulgarian-German former entrepreneur and convicted fraudster best known as the founder of OneCoin, a cryptocurrency scheme widely described as a major scam. She disappeared in October 2017 and has been listed by the FBI as one of its Ten Most Wanted fugitives.

Early life and education

Ruja Ignatova was born in Ruse, Bulgaria, in 1980 and later lived in Germany. Coverage about her background also describes her as Oxford-educated and as having built a career in finance before launching OneCoin.

OneCoin

In 2014, Ignatova co-founded OneCoin, which she promoted as a digital currency investment. Authorities later described the operation as fraudulent, and it was widely reported as a Ponzi-style scheme.

Disappearance

Ignatova vanished in October 2017 after travelling from Sofia to Athens. She has not been publicly seen since, and her disappearance became central to international media coverage of the case.

US prosecutors charged Ignatova in absentia, and the FBI later listed her among its Ten Most Wanted fugitives. Publicly available FBI material says she is wanted in connection with an alleged large-scale fraud scheme involving OneCoin.

Key facts

  • Ignatova founded OneCoin in 2014 and promoted it as a cryptocurrency investment opportunity.
  • US authorities say OneCoin defrauded investors of more than $4 billion.
  • She disappeared in October 2017 after travelling from Sofia to Athens.
  • The FBI added her to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2022.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Ignatova through international financial-crime coverage, cryptocurrency fraud reporting, and discussions of investor protection in cross-border schemes.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ruja Ignatova?
She is a Bulgarian-German former entrepreneur best known for founding OneCoin and later becoming a fugitive wanted in connection with alleged fraud.
What was OneCoin?
OneCoin was a cryptocurrency-related investment scheme founded by Ignatova in 2014. Authorities and media outlets later described it as fraudulent and Ponzi-like.
Why is she called the Cryptoqueen?
The nickname "Cryptoqueen" was used in media coverage because she presented herself as a leading figure in cryptocurrency before the scheme collapsed.
When did she disappear?
She disappeared in October 2017 after travelling from Sofia to Athens, according to BBC reporting and court-related records cited in coverage.
Is she on the FBI Ten Most Wanted list?
Yes. The FBI added her to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list in 2022.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruja_Ignatova
    Supports: Basic biography, nickname, OneCoin founding, disappearance, and general identification
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2llvlx2ez9o
    Supports: Background, OneCoin fraud allegations, and disappearance timeline
  3. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-50435014
    Supports: Nicknamed Cryptoqueen, investor losses, and disappearance details
  4. U.S. Department of State — https://www.state.gov/reward-for-information-german-national-ruja-ignatova/
    Supports: OneCoin fraud allegations, amount defrauded, and wanted status
  5. Federal Bureau of Investigation — https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/topten/ruja-ignatova/ignatovatoptengerman2024.pdf
    Supports: Ten Most Wanted status, aliases, and charges