On the Wednesday June 19 episode of In Pursuit with John Walsh takes on the case of Ruja Ignatova, an accused financial fraudster whose alleged cryptocurrency scheme has landed her on the FBI’s top ten most wanted list. John and Callahan Walsh, joined by US Marshals, local law enforcement, and the In Pursuit team, investigate Ignatova’s whereabouts and work to bring her to justice.
The episode also sees Callahan heading to Pennsylvania, where he follows the trail of Freddy Calle, who is accused of sexually abusing a teenage girl.
Ruja Ignatova is a Bulgarian-German woman who, in 2014, founded a company called OneCoin. This company offered a cryptocurrency by the same name, which Ignatova claimed was the “Bitcoin Killer.” Through a multi-level marketing strategy, she allegedly convinced millions of people worldwide to invest in OneCoin, with promises of high returns and minimal risk. However, it is alleged that the entire operation was a Ponzi scheme, with new investors’ funds being used to pay out returns to earlier investors.
As the investigation unfolds, the In Pursuit team explores Ignatova’s lavish lifestyle, funded by the proceeds of her alleged crimes. They also examine the impact of her actions on the victims, who have suffered significant financial losses. The episode highlights the ongoing efforts to bring Ignatova to justice, with a $100,000 reward offered by the US Marshals for information leading to her arrest.
Meanwhile, Callahan Walsh travels to Pennsylvania, where he works with local authorities to track down Freddy Calle, who is wanted for the alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl. The episode follows Callahan as he meets with investigators and the victim, now an adult, to understand the case and the efforts to locate Calle.
In Pursuit with John Walsh: Crypto Queenpin airs on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at 10:00 PM ET on Investigation Discovery.
