FinCrime Observer – The mysterious disappearance of Ruja Ignatova, the so-called “Cryptoqueen,” continues to intrigue and perplex investigators. Ignatova, who vanished after a flight from Sofia to Athens in October 2017, is the subject of an ongoing investigation by the BBC’s Eye Investigations and Panorama, revealing her deep connections to the Bulgarian underworld.
Ruja Ignatova is wanted by the FBI for her role in the OneCoin cryptocurrency scam, which defrauded investors of $4.5 billion. Despite her Oxford education and seemingly legitimate career in finance, Ignatova masterminded one of the largest cryptocurrency frauds in history. As law enforcement closed in, she disappeared without a trace.
Key findings from the BBC investigation highlight Ignatova’s ties to Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis, known as Taki, a suspected Bulgarian organized crime boss. Taki, described as one of Bulgaria’s most notorious drug traffickers, allegedly provided protection for Ignatova. This relationship reportedly soured, leading to allegations that Taki ordered her murder.
Leaked Europol documents support the theory of Taki’s involvement, suggesting he used OneCoin‘s financial network to launder drug trafficking proceeds. Despite numerous investigations and allegations, Taki has never been prosecuted for these crimes and now resides in Dubai.
The BBC’s investigation uncovered further evidence linking Taki to Ignatova’s disappearance. A police report found at the home of a murdered Bulgarian officer detailed a conversation where Taki’s brother-in-law boasted about Ignatova’s murder on Taki’s orders. Her body was allegedly dismembered and disposed of at sea. Although Bulgarian officials confirmed the document’s authenticity, the BBC could not independently verify the claim.
Additional sources, including former IRS investigator Richard Reinhardt, suggest that Ignatova’s sophisticated criminal activities and ties to powerful organized crime figures made her a significant threat to Taki, ultimately leading to her alleged murder.
Despite these claims, Ignatova’s fate remains uncertain. The FBI continues to list her among their Ten Most Wanted, and sightings of her have been reported as recently as 2022. Some believe the rumors of her death might be a ruse to mislead investigators.
For now, the hunt for the missing Cryptoqueen continues, with her disappearance shrouded in mystery and her connections to the Bulgarian underworld raising more questions than answers.
For more detailed insights, refer to the full BBC report on this unfolding saga.
