The US Department of Justice has launched a formal process to return money to victims of the sprawling OneCoin cryptocurrency fraud, drawing on more than $40 million in assets seized through criminal forfeiture.The announcement, released on April 13, 2026, marks a significant step in addressing one of the largest investment scams of the past decade.
Between 2014 and 2019, the scheme’s co-founders, Ruja Ignatova and Karl Sebastian Greenwood, along with accomplices, promoted a fake digital currency called OneCoin through an aggressive global multi-level marketing network headquartered in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Promoters made false claims about the currency’s legitimacy, technology, and value, convincing people worldwide to pour more than $4 billion into what was essentially worthless tokens.
The fraud has been the subject of multiple prosecutions in the Southern District of New York, with several key figures already sentenced and substantial criminal assets forfeited.
Under the new remission program, individuals who bought OneCoin cryptocurrency during the 2014–2019 period may now seek compensation from the recovered funds.
The Justice Department’s Criminal Division’s Money Laundering, Narcotics and Forfeiture Section is overseeing the effort, which aims to return money directly to those harmed by the scheme.
To participate, potential victims can now access a petition form from the dedicated website www.onecoinremission.com.
Those without internet access may also request the form by phone, email, or mail through the designated Remission Administrator.
All petitions must be submitted by June 30, 2026. Kroll Settlement Administration LLC has been appointed to manage the process on behalf of the government.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva of the Criminal Division emphasized that supporting victims remains central to the department’s mission.
He highlighted how forfeiture actions strip criminals of their ill-gotten gains and redirect those resources to the people who suffered losses.
US Attorney Jay Clayton for the Southern District of New York described the announcement as a meaningful advance in restoring funds to defrauded investors, noting that while full recovery may be impossible, every effort is being made to prioritize victim compensation.
Law enforcement officials involved in the case echoed this sentiment.
James C. Barnacle Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, called the victim losses “monumental,” pointing out that many people had drained their savings based on deceptive promises in an emerging financial space.
He reaffirmed the FBI’s commitment to tracking down remaining fugitives, including Ignatova, who remains on the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted list.
Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan of IRS Criminal Investigation stressed that tracing and recovering illicit funds continues to be a priority in dismantling sophisticated fraud operations.
As expected and clarified in the update, the Department of Justice and the Remission Administrator will never request any upfront payment or fee from victims to participate.
Officials urge caution against any individuals or organizations falsely claiming to represent the government or the administrator in this matter. Since 2000, the Justice Department’s Asset Forfeiture Program has returned more than $12.5 billion to crime victims nationwide.
