Within the wake of US authorities bringing OneCoin’s prison enterprise crashing down, little question there are lots of people on the market attempting to bury their affiliation.
Since our preliminary overview of OneCoin on September twenty third, 2014, during which we precisely analyzed and concluded OneCoin was a Ponzi scheme, BehindMLM has printed at least 200 and fifty-seven articles documenting each twist and switch.
All through that journey we got here throughout a colourful solid of characters, most of whom have since moved on from OneCoin. Others merely disappeared off the face of the planet.
In accordance with the DOJ, OneCoin was a Ponzi scheme that bilked traders out of upwards of $4 billion {dollars}.
Until you’ve been carefully following OneCoin, a wonderfully pure response to such a dwarfing determine is, “How the hell did this occur?”
Based mostly alone analysis into OneCoin, interactions and perspective over the previous 4 and a half years, I current to you the individuals who made it doable.
Ruja Ignatova
By her personal admission, Ruja Ignatova has performed “many unhealthy issues in her life, many silly issues”.
Something Ignatova might need performed previous to 2014 nonetheless, was little question dwarfed by the launch of OneCoin.
Ruja Ignatova was central within the planning and execution of the OneCoin Ponzi scheme.
By 2017 Ignatova was feeling the warmth and across the center of the yr, merely disappeared.
US authorities would later reveal Ignatova boarded a flight for Greece in October 2017, by no means to be heard from once more.
By way of OneCoin, Ignatova is believed to have enriched herself and her household to the tune of lots of of million of {dollars}. Higher estimates pending forensic affirmation would possibly even peg Ignatova’s stash at over a billion.
Whereas we do not know the place Ignatova’s stash is hidden, we are able to attribute a few of it to a Bulgarian property empire, an aborted mansion by the ocean and crapload of beauty surgical procedure.
For the report now we have nothing in opposition to beauty surgical procedure. However spare a thought for the OneCoin traders whose funds went into that face.
Ignatova’s present standing is unknown. She stays a fugitive on the run and needed by US authorities.
Exterior of monetary fraud, Ignatova is fondly remembered for her selection of outlandish and sometimes voluptuous frocks.
Konstantin Ignatov
You already know that sibling mother and father all the time make an older sibling embrace of their actions?
Yeah…
Now a confirmed prison in his personal proper, Konstantin in any other case labored behind the scenes.
Formally Konstantin was OneCoin’s Head of Administration, later promoted to Supreme Chief… or no matter it’s OneCoin was calling its prime canine after the failed Arens and Munoz experiments.
In all honesty although administration sensible Konstantin was shafted. Ruja rode out the golden years and left Konstantin a heap of decomposing scraps.
After travelling all over the world for 2 years making awkward appearances at OneCoin occasions, Konstantin evidently realized it was time to chase massive bucks within the US.
We will solely assume Konstantin missed the final time OneCoin ventured into the US, on account of his being too busy taking topless selfies on the native fitness center.
As a part of his plans to re-establish OneCoin within the US, Konstantin organized a promotional occasion in Las Vegas final week.
After mendacity to US Border and Prospects Safety, Konstantin entered the US and attended scheduled occasions in Las Vegas.
As Konstantin ready to go away the US for his native Bulgaria nonetheless, he was arrested and is now going through a prison trial that may probably convey down all the firm and make thousands and thousands of traders come to phrases with billions of {dollars} in losses, a lot of whom invested far more than they will afford to lose and are probably going through monetary break however don’t care as a result of that is all simply pretend information and OneCoin is completely going to launch DealShaker v69 tomorrow and we’re all only a bunch of bitcoin haterz being paid by George Soros to prop up the archaic monetary banking system 666 OneCoin turned the frogs homosexual do these samsung galaxy buds make my butt look massive #MeToo
Phew. Sorry, the place was I?
Sebastian Greenwood
After BigCoin collapsed, Sebastian Greenwood joined forces with Ruja Ignatova to launch OneCoin.
Formally Greenwood was Grasp Distributor, a place he shared with Juha Parhiala.
Unofficially Greenwood was Ignatova’s equal, and co-conspired along with her over each painstaking element of OneCoin’s launch.
Though by no means confirmed, it’s believed that sooner or later Ignatova and Greenwood have been romantically linked.
Over the course of OneCoin, Greenwood went from being a fresh-faced scammer to a tubby lard arse.
This affliction was widespread with most of the Euro gents OneCoin scammer clique Greenwood related to. Perhaps there’s one thing within the water in Thailand.
Issues started to show bitter for Greenwood in mid 2018, following the seizure of $7.1 million by Chinese language authorities.
Greenwood is then believed to have been arrested in Thailand and extradited to the US, both someday in late 2018 or early 2019.
Greenwood’s present standing is unknown, however he’s believed to be cooperating with US authorities.
At the very least for him, I suppose the much less time Greenwood along with his squishy boyish appears to be like spends in jail the higher.
Juha Parhiala
Juha Parhiala was Papa OneCoin to Ruja Ignatova’s Crypto Queen.
This beady eyed albino Shrek from Finland rapidly established himself as a visible illustration of the cash OneCoin was stealing globally.
On the peak of his thievery, Ted Nuyten’s Enterprise For Dwelling was celebrating Parhiala’s month-to-month theft of over 4 million euros from OneCoin victims.
Whereas Parhiala evidently knew dick about cryptocurrency, he was capable of placed on a convincing music and dance.
Properly he was, till purported well being issues noticed him have to hold a gaudy skull-capped cane round.
After OneCoin collapsed in early 2017 and following reviews of a Thai prison investigation, Parhiala disappeared.
When he re-emerged in December 2017, it was because the new proprietor of a girly bar in Cambodia.
Over the previous 13 months Parhiala has rebranded himself as a “community advertising and marketing coach”.
His cheesy OneCoin branded gold chain has since been rebranded with Solidus International.
Solidus International is mainly a continuation of OneCoin, with gold the car used as a substitute of cryptocurrency.
In contrast to OneCoin, within the six months so because it launched Solidus International has failed to realize traction (a typical theme among the many numerous OneCoin clones launched).
Parhiala is believed to nonetheless spend the vast majority of his time in Asia.
Kari Wahlroos
Kari Wahlroos most likely does a truck ton of crack. There, I stated it.
Jokes apart, Wahlroos is understood for his superhuman enthusiasm on stage.
There’s a high-quality line between catchy enthusiasm and “ought to any individual name an ambulance?”, with Wahlroos falling properly past stated line towards the latter.
After a messy breakup with Wellstar, Wahlroos joined OneCoin with a lot fanfare in 2015.
Ignatova harnessed Wahlroos’ amphetamine fuelled vitality, and he was rapidly put in control of world promotion.
If there was a OneCoin occasion someplace, Wahlroos can be bouncing off the partitions internet hosting it.
Wahlroos additionally turned identified for his love of quick vehicles. There’s most likely a joke about velocity in there someplace however I feel I’ve stated sufficient.
After OneCoin collapsed Wahlroos tried desperately for a yr to maintain the gravy prepare working.
By December 2017 nonetheless the writing was on the wall, and Wahlroos bailed was fired.
Quickly sufficient although he was again on the Ponzi prepare with DagCoin.
DagCoin – launched by a former OneCoin scammer, is like OneCoin however with a crappier title.
Inside DagCoin Wahlroos retained his “eagle” standing. A bit of fatter and much more sweatier, Wahlroos flies out and in of Dubai repeatedly on DagCoin promotional excursions.
To Kari Wahlroos’ legal professionals, I wish to make it crystal meth clear that I don’t consider Wahlroos does or has ever performed medicine. I feel. In all probability.
Fuck, anybody obtained Kevin Thompson’s quantity?
Igor Alberts
If I’ve learnt something about Igor Alberts over the previous 4 and a half years, it’s that he actually has a clown jumpsuit able to go for any event.
Being Worldwide Ladies’s Day and all, I’d prefer to take this chance to shout out Albert’s spouse, Andrea Cimbala.
I don’t know if Cimbala is blind, has suffered some horrific trauma, is ignorant or being held hostage, however her relationship to this magnificent beast of a person continues to puzzle.
Alberts competed with Parhiala and Greenwood for the highest OneCoin earner spot on BusinessForHome.
He by no means fairly obtained there although, peaking at solely $2.4 million a month in late 2017. Not too shabby contemplating no one else was earning money in OneCoin after the Jan 2017 collapse.
As with the remainder of OneCoin’s prime brass, Alberts bailed by the top of yr.
In a second of uncommon readability, Alberts lamented on the errors he’d made in OneCoin (however not the cash he’d stolen).
Alberts then hitched his wagon to Kari Wahlroos and joined DagCoin.
With Cimbala coming out a child each different yr, Alberts continues life with seemingly not a care on the earth.
He and Cimbala reside within the Netherlands, in a home that appears prefer it belongs in a Michael Jackson documentary.
To Igor Alberts’ legal professionals, I wish to make it identified that I’m by no means insinuating a comparability between Alberts and something Michael Jackson could or could not have performed.
OK severely, does anybody have Kevin Thom… No, I’m going to want to name within the massive weapons right here.
Yo, get me Gerry Nehra on the telephone.
Frank Ricketts
There’s not a lot to say about Frank Ricketts, largely owing to him being a “behind the scenes” man.
After cashing out his SiteTalk OPN gig for a Black Diamond OneCoin place, Ricketts was instrumental in serving to arrange OneCoin’s cash laundering community.
After Wahlroos’ ousting in late 2017, Ricketts had a short stint within the highlight.
He quickly developed stage fright although and as soon as once more retreated to the shadows.
Someday in 2018 Ricketts left OneCoin and disappeared altogether.
In August 2018 Ricketts resurfaced as CEO of AuLives, yet one more OneCoin Ponzi factors clone.
The AuLives web site presently has an Alexa rank of 1.6 million and falling. Consequently Frank Ricketts is laying low. Very low.
Given Ricketts most likely labored carefully with Mark Scott by way of his IMS Advertising and marketing firms, the fallout of OneCoin’s bust might be going to succeed in him sooner or later.
The Steinkeller Brothers
The Steinkeller Brothers have been primarily OneCoin’s kingpins in Italy.
By way of the brother’s One DreamTeam downline, Ted Nuyten clocked the Steinkellers’ OneCoin earnings at $2.5 million in mid 2017.
After which… they weren’t. Seemingly having seen the writing on the wall after OneCoin’s January 2017 collapse, the Steinkeller’s sensationally walked away from their golden goose earnings.
Three months later Italian authorities banned OneCoin for being a pyramid scheme and fined it 2.5 million euros.
The One DreamTeam downline in the meantime was left within the not so succesful fingers of Staffan Liback.
… Find out how to describe Liback?
Properly he’s type of like Kari Wahlroos, however with solely half the crack (god dammit Oz…).
Anyway inside a number of months both Liback had fucked up the Steinkeller’s One DreamTeam or it collapsed.
A couple of month in the past Liback resurfaced to advertise Cloud Horizon, some bullshit low cost app pyramid scheme run by, look ahead to it… Frank Ricketts.
Frankie boy, trying totally defeated. There he’s!
Ted Nuyten
Ted Nuyten and his BusinessForHome web site have been OneCoin’s go to for on-line promotion.
With out fail any time information of regulatory significance involving OneCoin broke, trusty Ted would publish a brand new article about “so and so now stealing this a lot” from OneCoin traders.
It was nearly as if Nuyten had a queue of those articles able to go at any given time.
Along with money for remark, Nuyten additionally personally featured in OneCoin promotional materials:
When Nuyten’s makes an attempt to bury factual protection of OneCoin’s issues failed, BehindMLM discovered itself the goal of an ongoing marketing campaign of vitriol.
By 2018 nonetheless, because it had for everybody else, the OneCoin properly ran dry for Nuyten.
Both that or his continued assist of OneCoin was beginning to have an effect on his money for remark facet hustle.
Regardless of the motive, Nuyten’s reporting of OneCoin took on a extra crucial tone (no extra celebrations of blatant theft).
Sadly nonetheless, this didn’t coincide with a change in perspective.
To today Nuyten continues to help within the promotion of OneCoin Ponzi clones.
Making an attempt to quantify how a lot extra cash was misplaced as a direct results of Nuyten’s promotion of OneCoin is tough.
Each time Nuyten printed a OneCoin fluff piece, inside minutes it was being pushed closely on social media – usually occasions by OneCoin itself.
The worst a part of it, not less than from my perspective, is that as a result of Nuyten is on the market clearly accepting some type of compensation for protection – his readers assume we’re in on it too.
If I had a dagcoin for everytime a OneCoin investor accused me of “writing for bitcoin” (don’t chuckle, it occurred), I’d have sufficient to begin my very own Ponzi shitcoin – with change.
Ken Labine
The voice. No severely, the voice.
A lot so was Ken Labine’s pure talking voice an issue that, I can’t keep in mind which, he resorted to both digitally dropping it down an octave or forcing himself to talk decrease.
How do I do know this? As a result of he instructed the world in one in all movies.
However I digress, who was Ken Labine?
I neglect which cartoon it was, however there’s that one with a recurring previous woman and yappy chihuahua punchline (Loony Tunes?). When you’ve seen it you realize which one I’m speaking about.
That just about sums up Ken Labine.
Labine virtually stalked BehindMLM’s protection for months.
Any time we printed an replace on OneCoin’s regulatory issues, Labine’d put out a 6 hour documentary during which he’d rant and rave on the digital camera about how details weren’t details.
That voice…
Over time Labine’s antics discovered himself an admiring viewers throughout the OneCoin trustworthy. Principally individuals who noticed an unstable indignant man ranting in OneCoin’s protection, however understood little else.
At his nastiest I’m conscious of Labine harassing relations to get the eye of people who ignored him and his abusive YouTube movies.
Initially an amusing novelty, Labine quickly wore out his welcome and was largely ignored.
After OneCoin collapsed, Labine spent the remainder of 2017 attempting to reinvent himself as Canada’s Kari Wahlroos.
When that didn’t work out Labine quietly left OneCoin for DagCoin.
A shadow of his former on-line self, Labine’s social media profiles have been comparatively deserted since mid 2018.
Personally I prefer to assume Labine discovered the treatment he didn’t know he was in search of. Medication. I’m speaking about medicine.
Look, I’d even be keen to tackle Scott Warren at this level. If anybody has a shot at placing collectively a authorized opinion to persuade a choose this text isn’t what it seems to be, it’s him.
Muhammad Zafar
Muhammad Zafar is basically answerable for the proliferation of OneCoin all through Pakistan and the UK’s Muslim neighborhood.
On little else than “I seem like you and consider in god”, Zafar was capable of persuade hundreds to put money into OneCoin underneath him.
At his peak, Zafar was raking in just below one million a month.
You already know the drill by now although; OneCoin collapsed in early 2017 and someday later that yr, Zafar bailed.
Today Zafar goes by “Dr. Zafar” on Fb, whereby he’s busy selling the BitherCash Ponzi scheme…
…to the identical neighborhood he pitched OneCoin to.
Moyn and Monir Islam
What would you get if put Igor Alberts on a crash food plan for a number of years after which break up him in half?
Moyn and Monir Islam.
The Islam brothers have been second fiddle to Muhammad Zafar in spreading OneCoin all through the UK’s Muslim neighborhood.
They have been like a classy different to Zafar, with Igor Alberts ranges of sweg.
After all in true millennial model, when OneCoin went tits up the Islam brothers have been among the many first to bail.
After OneCoin the Islams fled their victims within the UK and relocated to Dubai. From there they went on to advertise Wor(l)d Worldwide, Omnia Tech and now Melius.
Tom McMurrain
Tom McMurrain is all the things Ken Labine needs he was.
Deep voice, rugged construct, a prison previous, time served in jail and… properly OK, perhaps not all the things.
McMurrain emerged as one in all OneCoin’s most distinguished US promoters, till they pulled the rug out from underneath him.
Like Labine, McMurrain was identified for making aggressive YouTube movies slamming anybody he felt was crucial of OneCoin.
Reasonably than scream at a digital camera although, McMurrain opted for gradual deception.
A bit of misdirection right here, a small lie there, mm’kay? A stretching of the reality right here, mountains of crypto techno jargon mm’kay? Throw in some crimson herrings and… earlier than you knew it McMurrain had you satisfied up was down, down was up and OneCoin wasn’t a fraudulent funding scheme.
By way of VPNs, shell companies, fraudulently obtained banking channels and who is aware of what different shady “let’s evade the regulation” methodologies, McMurrain gave it his finest.
OneCoin now not working within the US ultimately took its toll nonetheless, and so he quietly left and went off to launch his personal CoinMD Ponzi clone.
Igor Krnic
What Ken Labine and Tom McMurrain have been to video, Igor Krnic was to textual content.
OneCoin associates arrested once more? Igor Krnic can clarify that.
OneCoin misplaced one other checking account? Igor Krnic can clarify that.
Too busy looking for new bagholders to promote your OneCoins to in an effort to purchase the household home again, to note that your canine died, your spouse left you and the children are gone? Igor Krnic can clarify that.
Igor Krnic’s resolve to provide you with any bullshit to elucidate away all the things and something OneCoin associated earned him the title of Chief Excuses Officer.
Significantly, if something irregular occurred associated to OneCoin; Igor Krnic may clarify it.
The tragedy of Krnic’s fictitious explanations nonetheless was that there was no scarcity of determined believers.
Even within the wake of Konstantin Ignatov’s arrest and Ruja Ignatova’s indictment, there are nonetheless these on Igor Krnic’s discussion board who assume that is only a gentle impediment to beat.
I’ll simply say let everybody stay calm, as we’ve been right here earlier than and identical to the German investigation we got here out good, The haters will preserve attempting, as lengthy we good, we gonna come out sturdy once more, solely downside one other couple of months delays.
Having an actual blockchain was already confirmed by the German investigators. USA authorities have been watching Onecoin for a very long time now.
I can’t think about Konstantin can be dumb sufficient to come back to the USA if he was really doing one thing unlawful.
I hope for my sake and everybody else we come out with a winner right here. My mom’s future depends upon this.
We undoubtedly put cash into packages we couldn’t afford to lose.
Whats required now could be an pressing official information from firm to clear issues up and counter all allegations with details.
On the plus facet Krnic’s discussion board was an interesting collective of among the world’s most gullible idiots. Thanks for the numerous laughs guys.
Pierre Arens and Pablo Munoz
In an try to purchase legitimacy, Pierre Arens and Pablo Munoz (beneath) have been OneCoin’s first (and final) “exterior” hires.
By that I imply they have been recruited from exterior the MLM underbelly, for the only real function of lending OneCoin authorized avenue cred (once more, don’t chuckle… it occurred – twice.).
In each situations, the promotional hype behind each hires lasted longer then Arens’ and Munoz’s precise tenures.
The truth is I can categorically state that each got here and went from OneCoin, in much less time than it’s taken you to learn this far down.
Pablo Munoz was introduced as CEO in late 2016. After that includes in a number of OneLife promotional movies, Munoz was by no means heard from once more.
He was listed as a confirmed speaker at OneCoin’s mid 2017 Macau occasion, however did not make an look.
Earlier than the mud had settled from Munoz’s hasty departure, Pierre Arens was introduced as OneCoin’s new CEO.
Similar story. A video right here, a video there and by October 2017 Arens was additionally out.
No clarification has been offered for both CEO’s disappearance. Significantly, neither has been seen or heard from since their respective OneCoin stints.
On that notice I really feel compelled to requote an excerpt from one of many DOJ’s subpoenaed emails.
Upon receiving lip from OneCoin associates concerning OneCoin’s precise worth, Konstantin Ignatov warned;
If I see one thing like this once more I’ll lower the particular person’s head off publicly.
You already know my sister, what occurred when any individual tousled what she did.
Now I’m not saying when it turned obvious hiring randoms wasn’t going to repair OneCoin’s mounting regulatory issues, that Ruja ordered Konstantin to take Arens and Munoz out again and UFC them six toes underneath right into a Macau ditch… however properly, we truthfully don’t know.
Bear in mind, these are the identical individuals who unapologetically killed bitcoin. So something is feasible.
Pierre, Pablo, should you’re studying this blink as soon as into the monitor. Ship assist.
Closing Ideas
OK so clearly this isn’t meant to be taken too severely, and on no account is it a complete listing of everybody concerned in OneCoin.
I’ve most likely left some individuals out that I shouldn’t have, however proper now it’s as full a listing of serious OneCoin figures I can keep in mind over the previous few years.
What I wish to do right here is tackle people who have misplaced cash in OneCoin.
I get that whereas Ruja Ignatova is out within the wild there’s hope that (insert miracle right here) by some means this may play out like a foul dream you’ll get up from. And should you really consider that, extra energy to you.
Take it from me although, the earlier you come to phrases together with your losses the earlier you can begin working to get your life on monitor. However I’m not right here to push you to do something both approach.
What I wish to shut with is acknowledgement that you simply’ve been lied to. You have been lied to about OneCoin, each step of the way in which. Every little thing the you have been instructed the enterprise was doing at any given time, was a lie.
OneCoin was a Ponzi mission put collectively by two then small-time scammers, that on the again of cryptocurrency hype spiraled fully uncontrolled.
I’m past presenting you with the proof to attempt to persuade you a technique or one other, it’s what it’s.
Simply know that as you have been lied to by OneCoin, its executives and prime promoters (a lot of whom are featured above), chances are high you have been additionally lied to about BehindMLM and why I do what I do.
On days like right now, when push involves shove, I’m right here doing what I all the time do. Getting you essentially the most correct MLM information and data I can in a well timed method – and presenting it in an as simple to learn format as doable.
For you, and everybody who has misplaced cash in scams earlier than and who will after you, I’ll proceed to do what it’s I do for so long as I’m capable of.
Conditions like OneCoin right now are exactly why BehindMLM exists. And are really consider the place we shine as a web site.
In order for you headlines, learn any of the handfuls of reports web sites which have, for the primary time ever, lined OneCoin right now.
In order for you an in-depth roadmap of how we obtained so far, a roadmap of billions in monetary losses if you’ll, BehindMLM has over 200 articles on OneCoin in our archives.
To everybody who has been a part of the OneCoin journey over the previous few years, my sincerest thanks.
A few of you participated in our feedback, a few of you emailed me with tidbits right here and there, a few of you left clues elsewhere on the web for me to search out, and a few of you the entire above.
For some readers OneCoin was a fleeting affair, glossed over and rapidly forgotten about. For others, you’ve been following for years and know simply how massive of a saga this was to maintain monitor of.
I received’t threat naming you, lest I depart anybody out. However to each one in all you, regardless of how massive or small your contribution to the gathering of data, thanks.