In a startling revelation, the BBC’s recent investigation titled “Missing Cryptoqueen’s murky links to Bulgarian underworld” has uncovered the intricate and dangerous web surrounding Ruja Ignatova, the notorious “Cryptoqueen” who defrauded investors of $4.5 billion.
Ignatova, whose OneCoin cryptocurrency scheme promised returns surpassing Bitcoin, vanished in 2017 amid tightening investigations by German and US authorities.
Ignatova, a Bulgarian native raised in Germany, enjoyed a successful finance career before launching OneCoin in 2014. Her elaborate scam attracted millions of investors worldwide, only to crumble as law enforcement closed in.
In October 2017, she boarded a Ryanair flight from Sofia to Athens and disappeared, never to be seen again.
The BBC’s investigation sheds light on Ignatova’s deep connections with Christophoros Amanatidis, also known as Taki, a prominent figure in Bulgaria’s criminal underworld.
Richard Reinhardt, formerly of the US IRS, revealed that Ignatova and Taki were often seen together, with Taki reportedly taking charge of her security.
This claim is bolstered by sources indicating a significant Bulgarian drug trafficker closely linked to OneCoin, serving as Ignatova’s personal guard.
Leaked Europol documents reviewed by the BBC detail the extent of Ignatova’s ties to Taki before her disappearance.
Taki is suspected of laundering drug money through OneCoin, a theory that gained traction considering his longstanding evasion of successful prosecution despite numerous criminal investigations.
Former Deputy Minister Ivan Hristanov noted that Taki was likely the only person capable of shielding Ignatova from law enforcement.
Currently believed to reside in Dubai, Taki allegedly received up to €100,000 monthly for providing protection to Ignatova.
The Europol documents also highlight a dubious land deal involving one of Ignatova’s companies and Taki’s wife, further intertwining their financial affairs.
The investigation’s findings come with a twist of suspense and danger. Frank Schneider, a former adviser to Ignatova who vanished shortly after speaking with the BBC, supplied these critical documents.
Schneider, expressing fear for his safety, refrained from naming the individuals orchestrating the criminal enterprise.
Adding to the intrigue, Krasimir Kamenov-Karo, a figure assassinated in Cape Town in May 2023, had reportedly engaged with the CIA about Taki.
Sources confirmed a meeting between Kamenov-Karo and the CIA in late 2022, suggesting international interest in Taki’s activities.
Despite exhaustive investigations, Ignatova’s fate remains shrouded in mystery. Reinhardt, the former IRS investigator, posits that she is likely deceased, though he found no direct evidence implicating Taki in her demise.
Reinhardt’s assessment points to a modus operandi consistent with drug cartels, a sinister backdrop to Ignatova’s sophisticated white-collar criminality.
The revelations about Ruja Ignatova’s connections with Bulgaria’s criminal elite provide a chilling glimpse into the darker side of the cryptocurrency world.
As international investigators continue to unravel this complex network, the search for the missing Cryptoqueen and justice for her victims presses on, clouded by underworld ties and high-stakes intrigue.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members