The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on April 13, 2026, the start of a formal remission process to compensate victims of OneCoin, one of the largest cryptocurrency fraud schemes in history.

More than $40 million in forfeited assets are now available for distribution to qualifying victims who purchased the fraudulent token between 2014 and 2019. The $40 million available represents a fraction of the more than $4 billion in victims’ losses globally.

How the OneCoin Scheme Defrauded Investors Out of $4 Billion

According to the press release, OneCoin Ltd. launched in 2014 and was headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria. Its co-founders, Ruja Ignatova and Karl Sebastian Greenwood, ran a global multi-level marketing network to sell what they promoted as a legitimate cryptocurrency.

Ignatova was indicted in the U.S. in 2017 and has been a fugitive since. She is currently on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list.

According to the DOJ, victims were given false information about OneCoin, leading them to invest more than $4 billion worldwide before the scheme collapsed.

Several individuals involved in the scheme have been prosecuted in the Southern District of New York (SDNY) and sentenced. Ignatova, however, remains a fugitive. The FBI lists her as one of its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives and is actively seeking information on her whereabouts. Tips can be submitted at tips.fbi.gov or by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI.

"Between 2014 and 2019, OneCoin's founders sold a lie disguised as cryptocurrency, costing victims more than $4 billion worldwide,"

- said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York.

The FBI and IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) led the underlying fraud investigation, with support from the DOJ's Office of International Affairs. Since 2000, the DOJ's Asset Forfeiture Program has returned more than $12.5 billion in forfeited assets to crime victims.

Who Is Eligible for Compensation and How to File a Petition

Victims who bought OneCoin between 2014 and 2019 and experienced a net financial loss, after accounting for any completed withdrawals or recovered amounts, may be eligible to file a petition. Submitting a petition does not guarantee payment. Documentation of losses is required.

FBI and DOJ Warn Victims About Scams Tied to the Compensation Process

The DOJ warned that neither it nor the remission administrator will ask victims for any payment to participate. The FBI has separately flagged that crypto fraud victims are frequently targeted by secondary scams, including fake law firms and government impersonators, particularly when compensation processes become public.

"Misled by falsified statements and empty promises, many unknowingly depleted their savings for a fraudulent investment scheme,"

- said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle Jr. of the New York Field Office.