The Prosecutor's Office, the US Federal Bureau of Investigation worked together on a money laundering scheme with the participation of Ruza Ignatova. The wanted businesswoman is to be charged in absentia. A procedure for confiscation of her illegally acquired property is pending. In 2022, she was added to the FBI's 10 Most Wanted Criminal List.
This was reported by BGNES.
“It is a privilege and a huge responsibility for me to be a worthy partner of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation. We, by law and by vocation, are common partners against lawlessness,”, is categorical. Chief Prosecutor of Bulgaria Borislav Sarafov.
Ruza Ignatova is about to be charged in absentia. There is a procedure to confiscate the illegally acquired property from her”, Sarafov also explained.
It was also discussed that Bulgaria should receive additional support by increasing the mission in our country with a federal agent to assist us.
The US ambassador to Bulgaria, Kenneth Merten, said that they are announcing a new reward - up to 5 million US dollars - for information leading to the arrest of Ruzha Ignatova. “Ignatova is wanted for participation in one of the most sophisticated financial frauds in the world. Two weeks after she was charged in October 2017. Ignatova escapes from Bulgaria to Greece. Since then, she has been hiding”, the US ambassador recalled.
He emphasized that two years ago, in 2022, she was added to the FBI's list of 10 most wanted criminals.
“The United States highly values the partnership with the Prosecutor's Office of Bulgaria and the security services.
Later today, we will make statements with additional details on how citizens can provide information about Ruza Ignatova and contribute to her capture”, Kenneth Merten also announced.
Plamen Tonchev, the head of DANS, recalled Ignatova's activities. “One coin" is owned by Mrs. Ignatova and represents a financial fraud based on the principle of a pyramid, with its main activity in the Middle East,”, the chairman of DANS recalled.