The cryptocurrency industry has attracted ambitious, bold risk-takers, all lured by the promise of wealth. However, the thin line between ambition and greed has led some down a darker path.

The industry has witnessed numerous fraudsters orchestrating elaborate crypto scams, defrauding investors of billions through Ponzi schemes, failed exchanges, and fraudulent coin offerings. From fugitive masterminds to exchange operators turned criminals, the individuals behind these schemes have gained infamy for their audacity and deception.

Ruja Plamenova Ignatova

Ruja Plamenova Ignatova, known as the “Cryptoqueen,” is at the center of one of the largest crypto scams in history. Ignatova was born in Bulgaria and raised in Germany.

She graduated from Oxford University and initially pursued a successful career in finance. In 2014, she co-founded the cryptocurrency OneCoin with Karl Sebastian Greenwood. The operations were based in Sofia, Bulgaria.

OneCoin promised high returns for investors. Ignatova’s sales pitch was persuasive.

She convinced millions worldwide to invest in OneCoin. It operated through a multi-level marketing (MLM) scheme. 

She claimed that OneCoin would be a revolutionary cryptocurrency that could compete with Bitcoin (BTC). 

“OneCoin is supposed to be the Bitcoin killer. In two years, nobody will speak about Bitcoin anymo