New Series Tells Story of Crypto Queen - New True-Crime Series Unmasks the ‘Cryptoqueen’ Behind OneCoin’s Billion-Dollar Scam
A new true-crime series will explore the shocking rise and disappearance of Dr. Ruja Ignatova, the so-called 'Cryptoqueen'. Her fraudulent cryptocurrency, OneCoin, swindled millions of investors worldwide before she vanished in 2017. The six-part drama, Take the Money and Run, premieres on ZDFneo this January, with a streaming release on January 5.
Ignatova’s scheme promised vast riches through OneCoin, a cryptocurrency later exposed as a pyramid scam. By the time she disappeared, billions had been stolen, leaving investors devastated. The FBI now ranks her among its ten most-wanted fugitives, offering a $5 million reward for information leading to her capture.
The series stars Nilam Farooq as Ignatova, portraying her as a charismatic yet ruthless figure driven by power. While supporting characters are fictionalised, real victims are represented by Claire Walsh, a British woman who lost everything after investing in OneCoin. Her story highlights the human cost of the fraud. Take the Money and Run will air in double episodes every Sunday from January 11 at 8:15 PM on ZDFneo. The show openly acknowledges its limitations, leaving some questions—including Ignatova’s current whereabouts—unanswered. Instead, it leans into the mystery, blending facts with speculation about one of history’s most audacious financial crimes.
The series arrives as authorities continue the hunt for Ignatova, who remains at large. Viewers will see both the scale of her deception and its lasting impact on those who trusted her. The drama’s release coincides with ongoing efforts to bring her to justice.
