Guernsey's authorities have confiscated nearly £9m in assets linked to Dr Ruja Ignatova, the fugitive known as the Missing Cryptoqueen. The funds, held in a Guernsey bank account, were seized following a court order from German authorities. Ignatova, wanted by the US and Germany, has been missing for eight years.
Guernsey's Royal Court has ordered the seizure of £8.59m plus interest from an account at RBS International in Guernsey. The account belongs to Aquitaine Group Limited and is connected to Dr Ruja Ignatova, a 45-year-old Bulgaria-born German citizen. Known as the Missing Cryptoqueen, Ignatova vanished eight years ago, shortly after a US arrest warrant was issued for her.
The court upheld an Overseas Forfeiture Order requested by prosecutors in Bielefeld, Germany. As a result, the funds have been transferred to Guernsey's Seized Asset Fund. Ignatova faces charges in both Germany and the United States, where the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively searching for her.
Her disappearance has drawn widespread attention, inspiring a BBC podcast and several TV documentaries. Despite extensive efforts, Ignatova remains at large, highlighting ongoing international pursuits of cryptocurrency-related fugitives.
