- Renowned crypto figure Ruja Ignatova vanished seven years ago after a U.S. arrest warrant targeted her.
- The “Crypto Queen”, accused of masterminding the $4.5 billion OneCoin Ponzi, remains a person of significant interest.
- A recent BBC investigation has suggested shocking new developments regarding her possible fate.
Ruja Ignatova’s mysterious disappearance continues to baffle authorities, with recent reports hinting at a possible tragic end.
Seven Years Since Crypto Queen’s Disappearance
Ruja Ignatova founded OneCoin in 2014, promoting it as a cryptocurrency set to rival Bitcoin. However, it was soon uncovered as a Ponzi scheme, resulting in losses totaling $4.5 billion for its global investors.
Following the company’s collapse in 2017, U.S. authorities issued an arrest warrant for Ignatova, who subsequently went into hiding. Despite being added to the FBI’s top 10 most wanted list, her whereabouts have long remained a mystery.
A BBC investigation has now uncovered disturbing new evidence suggesting that Ignatova might have met with foul play.
Is the Bulgarian Underworld Involved?
The investigation hints at the involvement of Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis, also known as Taki, a notorious Bulgarian drug lord. Reports suggest Ignatova’s alleged protector, Amanatidis, might have been involved in her disappearance and potential murder.
Taki has been linked to numerous criminal activities, including drug trafficking and murder. His close association with Ignatova has led many to believe he played a significant role in her vanishing.
The Links Between Taki and Ignatova
According to credible sources, Taki provided protection for Ignatova at a hefty price, with monthly payments reportedly amounting to €100,000. She also owned a luxury penthouse in Dubai, where Taki is believed to reside. Financial ties between the two were further cemented through land deals involving their associates.
A former Bulgarian deputy minister, Ivan Hristanov, has closely investigated Taki’s operations and claims that he was instrumental in shielding Ignatova from legal repercussions.
Did the Crypto Queen Meet a Grim Fate?
Several insiders suggest that, in 2018, Taki ordered Ignatova’s murder to eliminate any links to the OneCoin scandal. An informant revealed that her body might have been disposed of at sea, a theory that has gained traction among her acquaintances.
Investigative journalist Dimitar Stoyanov reported that Taki’s associates have since taken over many of Ignatova’s properties in Bulgaria, further suggesting her untimely demise.
The consensus among those familiar with the case is that Ignatova’s continued existence posed a liability to Taki, leading to her ultimate elimination.
Despite these disturbing revelations, the lack of concrete evidence and the absence of a body means her fate remains officially unresolved.
Conclusion
The enigma surrounding Ruja Ignatova’s disappearance continues to captivate and confuse. While recent investigations suggest a dire end at the hands of a powerful criminal, the truth remains elusive. Until definitive evidence emerges, the whereabouts and fate of the “Crypto Queen” will remain one of the crypto world’s most riveting mysteries.