Lawyer Urges Bulgarian Authorities to Reopen Onecoin Case and Seize Assets

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An attorney representing victims of the Onecoin scam is calling on Bulgarian authorities to reopen the investigation into the fraudulent cryptocurrency pyramid scheme. The lawyer is also seeking the seizure of assets connected to the scheme to provide restitution for the affected clients. Highlighting recent developments, including the murder of a Bulgarian crime figure in South Africa, the lawyer hopes to bring attention to the case and prompt action from officials in Sofia.

Attorney Seeks Onecoin Investigation by New Bulgarian Chief Prosecutor

Dr. Jonathan Levy, a legal representative for individuals impacted by Onecoin from multiple countries, has submitted a formal request for the acting top prosecutor of Bulgaria to reopen the investigation into the multi-billion dollar Ponzi scheme involving cryptocurrencies. The lawyer also urges authorities to seize any associated assets to compensate the victims who suffered financial losses.

In a letter addressed to the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice, Levy draws attention to recent events that he believes are interconnected with the Onecoin case. These events include the murder of Krasimir Kamenov, a Bulgarian organized crime figure, in South Africa. Kamenov’s murder is linked to Ivan Geshev, the former chief public prosecutor of Bulgaria, and Ruja Ignatova, the fugitive founder of Onecoin.

Ivan Geshev was dismissed from his position by Bulgaria’s Supreme Judicial Council in June and replaced by Borislav Sarafov as Acting Prosecutor General. Back in December 2021, Levy had filed a petition with the Bulgarian Constitutional Ombudsman, accusing Geshev of protecting Onecoin, which allegedly continued its operations through affiliated entities within Bulgaria.

The lawyer now insists on shutting down Onecoin, arresting those responsible, and confiscating their assets. To support his latest request, Levy presents a sworn declaration by Duncan Arthur, the former Compliance Officer of Onecoin, who is a citizen of both the Republic of Ireland and the Republic of South Africa. Arthur’s statement provides details about the scam’s activities in Africa.

Kamenov, along with his wife and two other victims, was assassinated in Cape Town in late May. He had been accused of involvement in the murder of a senior police official in Sofia and was connected to the disappearance of Ruja Ignatova, who was reportedly in possession of 230,000 BTC.

Cryptoqueen’s Fate and Whereabouts Remain Unknown

A Bulgarian website called Bureau for Investigative Reporting and Data (Bird.bg) published an article in February claiming that the “missing Cryptoqueen” was killed in Greece in November 2018, a year after she boarded a flight to Athens. The article suggests that this conclusion is based on evidence gathered during the investigation into the murder of the former head of a criminal police department in the Bulgarian capital.

According to the information, both Ruja Ignatova and the aforementioned police official may have been murdered by a criminal group associated with Kamenov. However, Jonathan Levy has requested an investigation, suggesting that Ignatova’s death might have been staged by the criminal organization. The lawyer notes that Geshev sought Kamenov’s arrest only after claiming he narrowly escaped a bomb plot.

Levy wrote to the Bulgarian Justice Ministry, urging the Acting Chief Prosecutor to review the new evidence as well as their previous requests and take immediate action against the Onecoin organized crime group in Bulgaria. He also accuses the former Chief Prosecutor, Geshev, of deliberate inaction and calls for the seizure of assets belonging to the Onecoin group to benefit the victims and provide restitution.

Onecoin, launched in 2014 as a multi-level marketing (MLM) network based on a nonexistent cryptocurrency, is believed to have defrauded over 3 million investors worldwide of more than $4 billion. The mastermind behind the scheme, Ruja Ignatova, a Bulgarian-born German national, was last seen in October 2017 at Athens airport and remains wanted by Interpol, Europol, and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

South Africa’s Daily Maverick newspaper reported that Kamenov might have possessed information about Ignatova. The publication also revealed that Ignatova’s brother and co-founder of Onecoin, Konstantin, posted photos on Instagram around 2018 indicating his visit to Cape Town. Konstantin was arrested in Los Angeles the following year and pleaded guilty to charges related to Onecoin, while seeking witness protection in the United States. Another accomplice, Sebastian Greenwood, a U.K. and Swedish national, also pleaded guilty in December 2022.

What are your thoughts on whether investigators will uncover the truth behind the Onecoin case? Please share your opinions in the comments section below.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Onecoin investigation

More about Onecoin investigation

• Bulgarian Ministry of Justice – Official website of the Bulgarian Ministry of Justice, where further updates on the Onecoin case and legal proceedings can be found.

• Interpol – Interpol’s official website provides information on their ongoing efforts to locate and apprehend Ruja Ignatova, the fugitive founder of Onecoin.

• Europol – Europol’s website offers insights into their involvement in the investigation of the Onecoin case and their collaboration with international law enforcement agencies.

• U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – The FBI’s official website contains relevant information about their pursuit of Ruja Ignatova and their role in combating cryptocurrency-related fraud.

• Daily Maverick – A news publication that covered the murder of Krasimir Kamenov and provided insights into the potential connections between the Onecoin case and the criminal organization involved.

• Bureau for Investigative Reporting and Data (Bird.bg) – The Bulgarian website mentioned in the text, known for its investigative reporting, where additional details about the Onecoin case and related developments can be explored.