United States of America v. Irina Dilkinska

New York, New York criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with wire fraud and money laundering.



Irina Dilkinska elected to plead guilty to her participation in a massive OneCoin fraud scheme.



In 2014, RUJA IGNATOVA, a/k/a "the Cryptoqueen,” and KARL SEBASTIAN GREENWOOD co-founded OneCoin,[1] a company based in Sofia, Bulgaria, that marketed a purported cryptocurrency by the same name, which was in fact a fraudulent pyramid scheme. OneCoin operated as a MLM network through which members received commissions for recruiting others to purchase cryptocurrency packages. This MLM structure influenced rapid growth of the OneCoin member network. Indeed, according to OneCoin's promotional materials, over three million people invested in fraudulent cryptocurrency packages. OneCoin records show that between the fourth quarter of 2014 and the fourth quarter of 2016 alone, OneCoin generated €4.037 billion in sales revenue and earned "profits” of €2.735 billion.



DILKINSKA was the purported Head of Legal and Compliance for OneCoin. But rather than ensuring that OneCoin complied with the law, DILKINSKA assisted in running its day-to-day operations and laundered money for OneCoin, including arranging for the transfer of $110 million in fraudulently obtained OneCoin proceeds to a Cayman Islands entity.



On October 12, 2017, IGNATOVA was charged with OneCoin-related fraud and money laundering charges in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and a federal warrant was issued for her arrest. On October 25, 2017, IGNATOVA traveled on a commercial flight from Sofia, Bulgaria, to Athens, Greece; she has not been seen publicly since. IGNATOVA was added to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's ("FBI”) Top Ten Most Wanted List in June 2022. The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to IGNATOVA's arrest.



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DILKINSKA, 42, a citizen of Bulgaria, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which also carries a maximum potential sentence of five years in prison.



The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge. Sentencing before Judge Ramos is scheduled for February 14, 2024, at 10:00 a.m.



Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and the FBI, which jointly conducted this investigation with Special Agents from the U.S. Attorney's Office.



If you have any information about IGNATOVA's whereabouts, please contact your local FBI office or the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Tips can be reported anonymously and can also be reported online at tips.fbi.gov.



The case is being prosecuted by the Office's Complex Frauds and Cybercrime Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Nicholas Folly, Juliana N. Murray, and Kevin M1ead are in charge of the prosecution.

11/09/2023 591 (S17) SUPERSEDING INFORMATION (Felony) filed as to Irina Dilkinska (7) count(s) 1s, 2s. (jbo) (Main Document 591 replaced on 11/9/2023) (jbo). Modified on 11/9/2023 (lnl). (Entered: 11/09/2023)

11/09/2023 592 WAIVER OF INDICTMENT by Irina Dilkinska. (jbo) (Entered: 11/09/2023)

11/09/2023 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Edgardo Ramos: Arraignment as to Irina Dilkinska (7) Count 1s,2s held on 11/9/2023. Defendant Irina Dilkinska present with counsel John Buza. AUSA Kevin Mead present. Detention continued. Defendant waived indictment and arraigned on the S17 Information. Defendant pleaded not guilty to the two count S17 Information. Defendant withdrew the previously entered plea of not guilty, and entered a plea of guilty to Counts 1 and 2 of the S17 Information. PSI Ordered. Counsel may be present at interview. Forfeiture Order signed. Sentencing scheduled for February 14, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. (lnl) (Entered: 11/09/2023)

11/09/2023 Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Edgardo Ramos: Plea entered by Irina Dilkinska (7) Guilty as to Count 1s,2s. (lnl) (Entered: 11/09/2023)

11/09/2023 Set/Reset Deadlines/Hearings as to Irina Dilkinska: Sentencing set for 2/14/2024 at 10:00 AM before Judge Edgardo Ramos. (lnl) (Entered: 11/09/2023)

11/09/2023 Oral Order of Referral to Probation for Presentence Investigation and Report as to Irina Dilkinska. (Signed by Judge Edgardo Ramos on 11/9/2023) (lnl) (Entered: 11/09/2023)