A latest episode of the favored BBC Sounds podcast the “Lacking Cryptoqueen” has proven the general public a really fascinating view of the highly effective Onecoin Ponzi. In line with two witnesses the BBC interviewed, a London legislation agency and a popularity administration firm allegedly managed to get the UK’s Monetary Conduct Authority (FCA) to take down a Onecoin warning.
The Bulgaria-based Ponzi scheme Onecoin was as soon as described by The Instances as “one of many greatest scams in historical past” managing to web $four billion from operations. The pyramid scheme has turn into a scorching subject through the years, and it’s invoked the BBC Sounds podcast the “Lacking Cryptoqueen.”
The present stars the British creator and journalist, Jamie Bartlett, and its additionally produced by the well-known documentary producer Georgia Catt. The most recent BBC Sounds podcast episode 9, dives into the continued seek for Onecoin’s lacking chief Ruja Ignatova, in any other case often called the ‘Cryptoqueen.’
Throughout the episode, Bartlett explains how the Cryptoqueen’s brother, Konstantin Ignatov, has been working with U.S. legislation enforcement. Ignatov informed the court docket a story about Ruja’s relationship with Gilbert Armenta and the way Ruja allegedly took off with highly effective Russians.
Then Bartlett discusses two people who had info on a London legislation agency and a “disaster administration PR firm.” One of many males was a lawyer named Gary Gilford and the opposite was a former Chelgate worker Simon Harris. Chelgate is the popularity administration firm that ostensibly helped Onecoin keep away from issues.
Each Gilford and Harris by no means met one another, however they each informed a story of how the London legislation agency and Chelgate managed to get the FCA to take away the Onecoin warning issued in September 2016. Ten months later, the FCA warning, which warned retail buyers about investing within the Onecoin challenge, was eliminated.
Harris defined that Chelgate labored with the legislation agency so as to “pressurize” the FCA into “weakening” the regulator’s efforts in opposition to Onecoin. The witnesses say that the Cryptoqueen and lots of excessive up members of the Ponzi had been tremendous happy with the FCA warning elimination. The dialogue with the previous Chelgate worker Harris begins on the 22:00 minute mark throughout the “Lacking Cryptoqueen” episode.
In the meantime, one of many Onecoin leaders, Sebastian Greenwood had his pre-trial convention on Friday. Matthew Russell Lee from the Interior Metropolis Press reported from the courtroom, and defined that Greenwood’s subsequent court docket date will probably be on October 5. Greenwood has been charged however the court docket appears to be having issue with particular court docket processes. The attorneys say that “video conferences take ten days to arrange”
“We haven’t given all the discovery as a result of discussions of a pre-trial disposition,” Greenwood’s prosecutors stated. “We’ve proven him his personal emails to indicate him his information and involvement from the very starting of this fraud scheme.”
Moreover, it seems that Onecoin buyers Donald Berdeaux and Christine Grablis have agreed to settle with Konstantin Ignatov. The quantity of funds agreed upon isn’t disclosed, however the two plaintiffs symbolize buyers who suffered losses between 2014-2018.
“Plaintiffs and defendant Konstantin Ignatov (collectively, the “Events”) want to discontinue between them with out prejudice the claims asserted in opposition to Defendant Ignatov whereas not impeding in any means Plaintiffs’ additional prosecution of their claims in opposition to the opposite defendants on this motion,” the court docket submitting detailed.
The report from the Interior Metropolis Press additionally reveals that Konstantin Ignatov’s plea deal is a little bit of a thriller. “Now in August 2020 a query has arisen,” explains Lee’s report. “The place is Konstantin Ignatov? After his sentencing was printed again 4 months from July 8, as Interior Metropolis Press reported, now his lawyer in a submitting within the civil case Grablis v. Onecoin Ltd has requested for an extension stating ‘Mr. Ignatov is presently incarcerated.’”
“However the U.S. Bureau of Prisons web site, for the one Konstantin Ignatov within the system, says ‘Launched On: 03/13/2020,’” Lee’s report provides. Even when cooperators are within the personal GEO jail the BOP makes use of, they’re listed as incarcerated. So the place is Konstantin Ignatov?” the reporter requested.
What do you concentrate on the latest findings in regards to the Onecoin Ponzi scheme? Tell us what you assume within the feedback part beneath.
Picture Credit: Shutterstock, Pixabay, Wiki Commons, FCA emblem, Lacking Cryptoqueen emblem, BBC Sounds
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