German authorities recover 10.1 million euros from Ruja Ignatova’s assets

Bielefeld prosecutors seize 10.1 million euros in Onecoin asset recovery

German authorities have successfully recovered approximately 10.1 million euros from the personal assets of missing Onecoin founder Ruja Ignatova, nearly a year after the Bielefeld public prosecutor’s office filed formal criminal charges against her. Senior Prosecutor Carsten Nowak stated that the funds originated from the sale of two London apartments and will be allocated toward compensating victims of the fraudulent cryptocurrency scheme.

Global manhunt continues ahead of 2031 statutory limitation

Ignatova vanished on October 25, 2017, after taking a flight from Sofia to Athens, and has not been seen since. International law enforcement agencies continue to search for the self-proclaimed cryptoqueen using photographs distributed globally. In Germany, the charges against her will officially reach their statutory limitation in the summer of 2031, leaving authorities with a fixed window to secure accountability.

Bielefeld charges target 57 million euro fraud

The Bielefeld public prosecutor’s office filed charges against the trained lawyer in September 2025 specifically to prevent the alleged fraud offenses from statute of limitations. Court documents outline a targeted timeframe between 2015 and 2016, citing a total domestic damage sum of 57 million euros affecting roughly 17,500 named complainants. Investigators maintain that Ignatova orchestrated a fraudulent pyramid scheme centered around her invented digital currency, operating through a corporate headquarters located in Greven, in the Münsterland region.

Affected investors invited to submit payment proofs

Victims residing in Germany and across Europe who transferred funds between December 9, 2015, and August 15, 2016, into accounts held by the Greven-based payment service provider IMS GmbH can now contact the Bielefeld prosecutor’s office. Claimants must provide documentation of their historical payments so authorities can evaluate potential compensation claims. While prosecutors have identified legally established victims by name, Nowak noted that authorities still lack correct postal addresses for every single affected investor.

Frequently asked questions about the Onecoin asset recovery

How can investors verify if their payments qualify for compensation?

Investors must submit concrete proof of payments made directly to the accounts of the payment service provider IMS GmbH in Greven between December 9, 2015, and August 15, 2016. The Bielefeld public prosecutor’s office reviews these transaction records against their list of legally established victims to determine eligibility for compensation payouts derived from the recovered London property assets.

Where should individuals submit tips regarding Ruja Ignatova’s current whereabouts?

Anyone possessing actionable information regarding the location of the fugitive defendant should contact the State Criminal Police Office (Landeskriminalamt) in Düsseldorf. Ignatova has remained a fugitive since her October 2017 flight from Sofia to Athens, and international law enforcement agencies continue to track global leads.