Meet Ruja Ignatova, woman with links to Bulgarian underworld who ran away with $4 billion

New Delhi: Ruja Ignatova, the mastermind behind the infamous OneCoin scam, vanished in 2017 after allegedly stealing over $4 billion from investors. Her disappearance has been shrouded in mystery, but a recent BBC investigation sheds new light on her potential connection to the Bulgarian underworld.

Under Taki's shadow

The investigation reveals Ignatova's close ties to Hristoforos Nikos Amanatidis, a notorious Bulgarian organized crime figure known as "Taki." Evidence suggests Taki served as Ignatova's personal security guard and may have used OneCoin's network for drug trafficking.

A disappearance and possible murder

After boarding a plane with Taki in 2017, Ignatova was never seen again. A 2022 report by Bulgarian journalist Dimitar Stoyanov alleges that she was murdered on Taki's orders in late 2018, her body dismembered and disposed of.

Ruja Ignatova is the FBI's most wanted woman. She stole billions from unsuspecting crypto investors and then vanished. How can someone disappear without a trace after causing such mass devastation. The FBI's hunt for her continues, but will she ever be brought to justice. 😲 pic.twitter.com/egzWicLbr7

— Francis Wakida (@FrancisWakida) June 3, 2024

Unanswered questions

While Taki remains a suspect, authorities lack sufficient evidence to prosecute him. The mystery surrounding Ignatova's fate continues, with rumors swirling about her potential death or elaborate disappearance.