Konstantin Ignatov has been launched after serving 34 months in jail for his involvement within the OneCoin cryptocurrency rip-off, a scheme that fraudulently claimed $4.4 billion from buyers.
The release adopted a courtroom choice by Choose Edgardo Ramos, who utilized a “time served” verdict on March 5. This verdict signifies that Ignatov’s time in custody previous to sentencing was deemed ample punishment. On the listening to, Ignatov acknowledged his errors, expressing deep remorse for his actions and the ache triggered throughout this era.
“I can solely blame myself […] nonetheless have bother wanting into my very own eyes within the mirror. The final 5 years had been a really painful interval in my life, however I’m glad for the teachings I’ve discovered,” he was quoted saying.
After his sister Ruja Ignatova, generally known as the “Cryptoqueen,” disappeared in 2017, Ignatov rose to prominence inside the OneCoin group. He admitted to cash laundering and fraud fees in 2019 and was instrumental within the prosecution of a lawyer concerned in laundering $400 million from the scheme by testifying in opposition to him.
Ignatov’s willingness to collaborate with U.S. prosecutors performed a major position in mitigating his sentence. Throughout the proceedings, Choose Ramos referred to the OneCoin operation as “a large fraud with a whole bunch of 1000’s of victims,” however acknowledged Ignatov’s help within the trial in opposition to Scott as a mitigating issue.
Ignatov supplied testimony that led to the conviction of Mark Scott, who performed a major position within the OneCoin fraud by laundering funds. Scott was subsequently sentenced to 10 years in jail in January 2024. The courtroom additionally mandated that Ignatov, now below two years of courtroom supervision, forfeit $118,000 earned from his tenure at OneCoin.
The fallout from the OneCoin rip-off has continued for fairly a while, with ongoing authorized actions in opposition to these concerned within the scheme. Karl Sebastian Greenwood, a co-founder of OneCoin, has confronted vital legal repercussions for his involvement. Greenwood was recently sentenced to 20 years in jail for his position within the fraud and cash laundering actions related to the rip-off.
Moreover, the case of Irina Dilkinska, former head of OneCoin’s authorized division, highlights the intensive community of people concerned in facilitating the rip-off. Dilkinska has pleaded guilty to fraud and cash laundering fees, admitting to transferring funds to offshore accounts past her official duties. She faces a possible 10-year jail sentence, together with her sentencing scheduled for Feb. 14.